The last-place decider was not easy on the eye, as both winless teams compounded errors with poor decisions and execution. Scotland, which should have beaten England and France, came to Rome in better form but produced its worst effort of the tournament.
Italy dominated territory and the lineouts, while the Scots hardly threatened Italy's 22m line, let alone the tryline, and played for 20 minutes with a man in the sin-bin.
During the first of the sin-bins given to centre Nick de Luca, Italy took advantage by scoring the game's only try to winger Giovambattista Venditti just after halftime. That put Italy 10-3 ahead, but the result wasn't certain until Kris Burton's dropped goal three minutes from the end.
After holding the wooden spoon for four straight years, Italy handed it back to its previous owner, Scotland.
The Scots finished the Six Nations without a win for the first time since 2004, and has lost seven successive matches for the first time since 1998.
Scotland coach Andy Robinson, who has won only twice in the Six Nations in three years, said he will undertake a review before deciding whether to continue under contract to the 2015 World Cup.
"I'm going away to reflect on the Six Nations and the future, in terms of players and the way forward," he said. "There's a lot to take in and it's about looking at the future and what's best for Scottish rugby. Now is not the time to be discussing that, what with the feeling."
Captain and hooker Ross Ford, whose inaccurate lineout throws contributed to Scotland's troubles, admitted defeat was hard to handle.
"This is the worst feeling I've had in my Scotland career," Ford said. "It's definitely a low point for me and I've got to try and improve and move forward as a player and get the others to do the same. I'm disappointed with the result. We didn't give ourselves a chance today really to get going in the right areas and you simply can't do that."
Jacques Brunel celebrated his first win as Italy coach, and believed it was proof the Azzurri were on the right road.
"We showed intensity and we dominated Scotland like no team has done this tournament," Brunel said. "I'm very proud of how we won this game. Today was important to keep our confidence. In every sporting history there are important starts and we had ours today. The ambition of this squad is high and today was very important for us to have faith that we are on the right road.
"I know it's difficult (to win the Six Nations) but I believe we have the ability to do it. Before next tournament we have six games so we have to progress very quickly. we need to impose ourselves more on opponents and focus on certain game plays."
Mirco Bergamasco opened the scoring for Italy with a penalty but missed two others.
Greig Laidlaw's two penalties were Scotland's only riposte.
Italy failed to score while Scotland lock Jim Hamilton was in the sin-bin from the 54th minute, and neither did Scotland when Italy flanker Alessandro Zanni was yellow-carded in the 65th.
After Venditti's try, set up by Burton, the loudest cheer was given to hooker Fabio Ongaro when he was substituted in the 57th. He was playing his 81st and last test for Italy before retiring.
Centre Gonzalo Canale was taken to hospital with a suspected broken wrist and replacement scrumhalf Tobias Botes lasted only five minutes because of a broken arm.
Italy 13 (Giovambattista Venditti try; Kris Burton conversion, dropped goal; Mirco Bergamsco penalty), Scotland 6 (Greig Laidlaw 2 penalties). HT: 3-3.
