Noble and land-owner. Born in Dalkeith Palace, Scott succeeded his father to the Dukedom of Buccleuch in 1819. He married Charlotte, daughter of Thomas Thynne, the 2nd Marquess of Bath, in London (1829). He served as Lord Privy Seal (1842-46) and Lord President of the (Privy) Council in 1846.
He was particularly remembered for building Granton Harbour on Firth of Forth. This cost more than £500,000 and was located within the estate of one of his houses, Caroline Park in northern Edinburgh. His statue was built in front of St. Giles Kirk in Edinburgh in memory of this act. The Duke was also one of the first to import Labrador dogs from Canada in the 1830s.
He died at Bowhill near Selkirk and lies buried in the Church of St. Mary the Virgin at Dalkeith, which he has built in 1843.