Bio

Born in 1966 in Inverness, Tavish Scott attended Anderson High School, Lerwick, Shetland and Napier College, Edinburgh, where he attained a BA (Hons) in Business Studies.

After graduating in 1989, Tavish Scott worked for Jim Wallace MP in the House of Commons. He became Scottish press officer for the Liberal Democrats in 1990, before returning to Shetland to run his family’s farm.

From 1994 to 1999 Tavish Scott was a local councillor representing Lerwick Harbour and Bressay Ward on Shetland Islands Council. He was Vice-chairman of the Roads and Transport Committee and Chairman of Lerwick Harbour Trust.

Sunset in Shetland

In 1999, Tavish Scott was elected as the Member of the Scottish Parliament for Shetland and he was re-elected in 2003, 2007 and 2011.

Mr Scott was the Deputy Minister for Parliament from 1 November 2000 until 9 March 2001.

He subsequently held the post of Deputy Minister for Finance, Public Services and Parliamentary Business from 21st May 2003 until 29th June 2005.

Mr Scott joined the Scottish Cabinet on the 29th June 2005 when he was appointed Minister for Transport, a post he held until May 2007.

From May 2007 until August 2008, Mr Scott was Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth, and also Convenor of the Scottish Parliament’s Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee. 

Replica Viking Longship in Shetland

In August 2008, Mr Scott was elected Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats. He resigned as Leader in May 2011.

Mr Scott is the current Scottish Liberal Democrat Spokesman for Business, the Economy and Sport. He is a member of the Scottish Parliament’s Public Audit Committee.