In the run-up to the 2014 Scottish Independence referendum, Scott was a keen advocate of a "No" vote as well as recognition that whatever the outcome of the referendum there ought to be a recognition of "Northern Isles’ right to determine their own future." At the Liberal Democrat party conference in 2013 put forward a motion with fellow MSP Liam McArthur to recognise the Islands had a "separate right to self-determination" Scott said that his preferred outcome was for Shetland to become a crown dependency of the UK with its own parliament, and was backed by the cross-party Wir Shetland movement that campaigns for crown dependency status.