I have always looked on scales as kind of a boring waste of time as well. I could never "link" them into my solo playing, and it seemed one dimensional to play solos in one position or the other on the neck.
Back in around 1981 or 82 I purchased a Hal Leonard book called "Lead Rock Method" I tried to use it and I found it hard to follow and I really didn't have a lot of time to practice. Jump ahead 20 years and I have the time and I rediscovered this book. Then the light went on. I had always been amazed at how all of my guitar heros could start a run and flow up and down the neck. Improvising amazing solos.
The key to it are three forms of the Blues Rock Scale. The Full diagonal form, the inside diagonal form and the outside diagonal form These are used extensively by Clapton Dicky Betts, Robin Trower, Alvin Lee, Mike Bloomfield, Jeff Beck and Alex Lifeson to name a few.
I have practiced them and use them in my playing. Since I started evereyone who knows me says they can't believe how much I have improved in the last two years. If you can't find this book or reference to the forms I will have them scanned and post them. They really work. What it did to my playing was make me want to get more technical and learn a lot more theory.
The Blues is alright!
Guitars: 1968 Gibson SG, 2005 Gibson SG Standard, 2006 Gibson LP Classic Gold top, 2004 Epiphone Elitist LP Custom, 1996 Gibson Les Paul Standard. 2001 Epiphone Sheraton II, 2007 Epiphone G400.
Fender Strats: 1996 Fender 68 Reissue CIJ, 2008 Squier CV 50s, 2009 Squier CV 50s Tele Butterescotch Blonde
Amps: Blues Junior Special edition Jensen in Brown Tolex with Wheat front, 65 Deluxe Reverb reissue,1970 Sonax reverb by Traynor, Avatar Custom 2/12 Cabinet with Eminence Legend V1216 speakers,
2008 DSL100 Marshall Amp , Fender Super Champ XD,Fender Vibro Champ XD
Effects and Pedals: Fulltone Fulldrive II, Fulltone OCD, Fulltone Mini Deja Vibe, Fulltone Fat Boost, Dunlop Crybaby Wah, Boss DS1, Boss DD20 Giga Delay, Boss TU2 tuner, Boss BD2, Ibanez TS9 Tube screamer, Zoom 505. Radial tonebone hot british.