Winger Josh Adams makes his Wales debut in a side containing a record 10 Scarlets players.
Second-row Cory Hill makes his first Six Nations start, while Ross Moriarty returns at number eight after a lengthy back injury.
Scotland hand centre Chris Harris a first start, with Ali Price preferred to Greig Laidlaw at scrum-half.
Gordon Reid, Stuart McInally and Jon Welsh form the front row, with five props and three hookers out injured.
PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Warren Gatland
“It is a good game for us first up. The players involved last year were disappointed with losing away in Murrayfield, and they feel there is a great chance to get the campaign off to a good start against a Scottish team that has definitely been resurgent.
“We are going to go out and hopefully, put on a great spectacle.
“Scarlets got to the quarter-finals in Europe and there’s a group of them who have come in with confidence and belief as a collective, which can definitely be a positive.”
Gregor Townsend
“Wales have one of the best defences in the game and an attack that sees forwards passing much more and a structure that enables backs to get on ball.
“We’ve selected a squad that we believe can start the championship with the intensity and speed required to win in Cardiff.
“Last year’s championship highlighted that every game is a fierce competition and that all teams have to play at their very best to win away from home.
“Delivering that level of performance has been firmly in our thoughts during our preparations this week. We’re expecting a really physical game against a very good team.”