The Scott trial originated in 1914 when Alfred Scott issued a challenge to his workers at the Scott motorcycle factory and those of his local agent. The challenge was to ride and navigate their way from the factory in Shipley through the Yorkshire Dales on a prescribed route to Bumsall. Of the 14 starters only 9 finished.

The event was reintroduced after the war in 1919 and run by the Scott workers until 1926. Bradford & District Motor Club then took over, moving the start and finish to Blubberhouses. In 1938 the trial was moved to Swainby in Cleveland due to the loss of land in the Dales. At that time the Leeds Waterworks Authority owned much of the land and with the consciousness of pollution, would not allow trials to continue over most of their property. The running of the event was now in the hands of the Middlesborough & Stockton Motor Clubs.

In 1950 the trial moved to Swaledale where it has remained since. This time the move was political. The ACU split the area into the North Eastern Centre and the Yorkshire Centre. The Yorkies didn’t mind losing the Geordie riders and clubs but would not lose their favourite trial.

The Darlington & District Motor Club took over the organisation until 1990 after which the Richmond Motor Club took over. The Scott trial is a time and observation event run over an off road course of approximately 70 miles. The riders lose marks for "footing" in the 70 or so observed sections and for finishing behind the fastest rider who sets standard time. Marks used to be lost at the rate of 1 mark per minute but this has been relaxed to 1 mark every 2 minutes.

It has been described as the greatest test of man and machine and is an event in which the clubman riders can still compete on the same course as top international stars. Each year the Scott raises money for the "Scott charities", local non-profit making organisations who are often too small to attract grants from the usual sources. In 1999 £3,750 was donated.