The heredity of the Scotts is likely to be from Irish migrants who settled in modern day Argyll, from which there were several proginators using the name Scott. By the end of the 13th century two border brothers Walter and Richard became major landowners. Walter held land near Peebles. Richard was more aquisitive, aquiring an estate in Lanarkshire by marriage as well as Buccleuch in Selkirkshire. The Duke of Buccleuch is still to this day Cheif of Clan Scott.

Succeeding lairds pushed forward the Clan Scott borders. By the middle of the 15th century the Scotts had a commanding grip on lands between the rivers Ettrick and Teviot. During 16th century the English made many hostile attacks in the borders, many Scott villages being destroyed at this time. This century also produced inter-clan warfare, particularly vilent in the Scott-Kerr conflicts. As this dispute was settled the Scotts quarelled with the Elliots, the ensuing battles being disasterous for the Scotts as they incurred huge losses. By the 17th century the Scotts became more settled, concentrating on sheep, cattle and crops for their living as plundering became an outmoded livelihood.