He was born at
Auchterhouse, the son of the local minister. He attended
Dundee Grammar School, after which he studied science at
Marischal College, Aberdeen from 1773 to 1777, and then studied medicine at the
University of Edinburgh until 1779. He entered the medical service of the
East India Company, and served chiefly in the
Bombay presidency. Scott became a correspondent of
Sir Joseph Banks in London. At the beginning of 1790 he responded to a request from Banks on the
cotton industry with an extensive report. Later that year he sent Banks samples of
wootz steel. He played a part in the founding of the botanical gardens in
Bombay in 1791. Scott worked also as an agent for the local manufacture of
gunpowder in Bombay, and spirits, from 1796. On 24 July 1797 he was created M.D. by the
University of Aberdeen. After thirty years in India, Scott returned to England, and began practice at
Bath, Somerset. On 22 December 1815 he was admitted a licentiate of the
Royal College of Physicians, and in 1817 began to practise as a physician in
Russell Square, London. He attained to considerable practice, and died on 16 November 1821. ==Medical publications==