Hi
Apologies for the delay...
Job interveiws and new Felt 65 have capitalised my time recently.
I am not familiar with the Scott, largely because I don't like my LBS that stocks Scott...
But, what I would say is that your budget should get you any one of a cracking range of 5 inch travel bikes, especially if you are prepared to go for an '07 model in the sale.
The basic Orange 5 come in at budget, and I love it because it fits me well, but you get more bike for your money with other brands. Giant Trance range is well work looking at, as is the Reign 2. The Specialized Sumpjumper FSR is on sale pretty much everywhere, and the Cannondale Prophet (not sure which one), I recall did pretty well in a UK mag review of all mountain bikes.
Sorry, not so much advice, as a list of possibles. I can strongly recommend getting out and riding them. I have been riding, racing and coaching mountain biking for 15 years, and am just about to buy my third ever mountain bike - it really does pay to get the right one, and then ride the rims off it (and possibly rebuild it and do it all again..)
Let me know how you get on.
Cheers
BB