the traverse is undeniably shorter distance, and the underfoot is surprisingly good considering what it looks like staring up at it from Pots of Ashness
in clag though, I'd still be tempted to seek the reassurance of the ridge/wall up at the col east of Haycock (although you'd still have to know when to break off to miss the very summit of Scoat Fell - but I know that quite well from BG)