Born in Girvan, Scott was educated at Barrhill Primary in South Ayrshire and George Watson's College in Edinburgh.

Scott played for the Wigtownshire Rugby Club from 1969 to 1973, a hobby he enjoys to this day[citation needed].

[4] He was appointed as the convener of the Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee of the Scottish Parliament in June 2016.

[6] Scott was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2022 New Year Honours for political and public service.

[7][8] Scott came under fire after it emerged that he profited from wind energy investments – despite his party having previously opposed the development of such projects.