Plant physiologist. Born at Kirkton of Craig, daughter of the parish minister, Scott was educated at Montrose Academy and the University of St. Andrews. She worked in St. Andrews for two years before joining Kew Gardens in London. During World War I she undertook dangerous work at the Woolwich Arsenal and then served in France, endeavours which brought her an OBE in 1919. After time in Turkey, Switzerland and at Stanford University (USA), she joined the University of California in 1925.
She wrote numerous scientific papers and was promoted to Professor of Botany at UCLA and served as Departmental Chair. She did pioneering work in applying the electron microscope to plant anatomy. Retiring in 1959, she was awarded an honorary degree by St. Andrews in 1971 and the UCLA Medal in 1980, recognising her contribution over a period of 55 years.