France visit Murrayfield eight days later and England travel to take on Scotland on 24 February.
Away matches against Ireland (10 March) and Italy (17 March) complete Scotland's campaign.
Former Glasgow Warriors boss Townsend, who won 82 Scotland caps as a player, has replaced Vern Cotter and takes charge of next month's summer tour.
The Scots face Italy in Singapore on 10 June then take on Australia in Sydney a week later before a final Test against hosts Fiji on 24 June.
And Townsend's side will face the Wallabies again in their autumn series, after Tests against Samoa and New Zealand.
In this year's Six Nations, Cotter's third in charge, Scotland recorded wins over Ireland, Wales and Italy - their best championship since 2006.
Click here to see the full sets of 2018 & 2019 Six Nations fixtures

Christine Wilson, 25, was eventually found out by the pair, who thought she was male, and was then charged.
Defence advocate Shelagh McCall told the High Court in Edinburgh that Wilson has Gender Identity Disorder.
Judge Lord Bannatyne deferred sentence in order for the court to obtain reports.
Jane Farquharson, prosecuting, told the court that Wilson had problems with her sexuality.
"The accused has by her own admission experienced some confusion about her sexuality. She has since childhood presented as a boy," said Ms Farquharson.
"Both complainers believed they were in a relationship with a boy."
Defending, Ms McCall stated that Wilson was hoping to undergo gender reassignment therapy at some point in the future.
Gregor Townsend's first Six Nations match as Scotland head coach will be away to Wales on 3 February 2018.
[NEXT_CONCEPT]
An Aberdeen woman has admitted fraud by pretending to be a boy to become sexually intimate with two unsuspecting teenage girls.