Born and brought up in Sunderland, it was there that he attended the College of Art, and met his future wife, Patricia. He was also the brother of the artist Eric SCOTT.

A familiar and much-missed figure of the Penzance arts community, Colin kept his studio in the town centre, close by the Penzance School of Art in which he taught and inspired hundreds of students through the years. His prodigious talent meant that he could create paintings in all genres, and excelled in all. His encouragement to pupils was legendary, and at the Penzance Arts Club, and the Penzance School of English (where he also tutored for many years) his talents as a teacher were always noted and appreciated.

For some years he was a principal partner in the artists' exhibiting circle at the Victoria Studios. He also exhibited at Rainyday Gallery, Penzance.