Sorry if this is an old can of worms, but I can't find a definitive answer anywhere.

From everything I remember about this quest, and from most things I've read, I assume it's possible to do it without progressing to the 'Elder Knowledge' part of the Main Quest. However, I've never done it myself - I've always wrapped the two together - so was wondering if anyone can confirm it's possible to do it separately?

I ask because the Elder Scroll is needed as part of the Dawnguard main quest - which I want my current character to do - but I have no interest in doing the game's main quest with them. As far as I know this is the only example of the questlines possibly overlapping in this way, but if it's possible to actually keep them separate than that's obviously good news.

Any confirmation would be great.

Thanks.

Yes, you can do this quest without doing the main quest, I have Dawnguard also and on one of my characters I didn't feel like doing the Main Quest so I just did this quest for the Elder Scroll.

Just get the Elder Scroll. The good thing about this quest is that it gets it out of the way when you do get around to doing the main quest line. At least you'll have the elder scroll when you need it.

Neither Elder Knowledge nor Scroll Scouting requires you to do Discerning the Transmundane, but you can do the Daedric quest and get the scroll on the way at any time.