Scotland looked surprised when the ball made its way to him after Huddersfield failed to clear Alan Tate's flick-on from a corner. Nevertheless he did what was required of him to notch up his 21st goal of the season.
However, injuries to him and Andy Robinson, who was a handful for the Town defence in the first half, put the spoilers on Swansea's first ever win at the Galpharm Stadium.
Huddersfield were the last team to defeat Swansea back in mid-November and would have fancied their chances against a side that has been affected by injuries. However, the first 45 minutes was a dreary affair with the windy conditions not helping matters, but it was the visitors creating the better chances.
Robinson tested keeper Matt Glennon with a couple of efforts but the best chance fell to Scotland, who forced a fantastic save from Glennon when put through by Robinson.
From seemingly out of nowhere loose defending and a slice of luck then contributed to Scotland's goal.
Swansea nearly doubled their lead after the break when substitute Febian Brandy charged past Nathan Clarke to leave himself one-on-one with Glennon, but his tame shot was easily saved.
Town then sprang to life, but for all their pressure they couldn't muster any clear-cut chances. Phil Jevons shot wide on more than one occasion and Robbie Williams' two speculative long-range efforts drew gasps but not a lot else.
The Terriers' task was made a lot harder when skipper Robert Page was sent off for two bookable offences.
Swansea had a goal disallowed for offside, but seemed content to defend their 1-0 lead.
Huddersfield were roundly booed off at the end of the game as the supporters knew their play-off hopes lay in tatters.