Why did England conquer Wales but not Scotland?

Answer 1

Edward I defeated the Scots at Dunbar in 1296 took the stone of destiny back to England with him and imprisoned the King. Effectively like the Romans before him he defeated the forces but only occupied the Lowlands. Rebellion arose and William Wallace beat the English at Stirling Bridge forcing Edward to return from warring in France and defeat him personally at the Battle of Falkirk. Robert the Bruce who had fought on the English side rebelled next and defeated the English forces on a number of occasions. Edward I once again set out to Scotland but died before he reached there. His son Edward II was militarily useless losing to Bruce at Bannockburn and allowing the Scots to raid norther England. Eventually overthrown by Edward III his son but all of Edward I gains were already gone and during a Regency Scotland was recognised as sovereign and Robert the Bruce as King. When he took over fully as King he repudiated the treaty and defeated the Scots but never fully subjugated the country.

The area that had never been fully occupied by any invader the Highlands was eventually brought under control after the battle of Culloden. British Government forces destroyed the Jacobite forces. Despite their being Scots and Highlanders on both sides the Highlanders formed the bulk of the rebel forces and had provided a base for a number of risings. The Clan power was dismantled, arms and even the wearing of tartan was banned in the Highlands for 35 years. By the time the ban was lifted the Highlanders had been absorbed into the British Army and the two nations were busy fighting everyone else in the world to form the British Empire.

The main reason England and Norway and the Romans before them did not hold onto their 'conquest' is that Scotland has always been a poor country with scant resources, not because of their 'fierce' tribes which were small and disorganised. The Angles (English) settled most of Lowland Scotland in the 5th and 6th centuries defeating the Picts easily, which is why they speak a version of English with Old English vowel sounds. They are essentially English - Not Celts or Scots, so the answer is that the Scots are already colonised by the English.

Answer 2

England conquered Wales in the 13th century primarily to establish control over the region and consolidate their power. In contrast, Scotland had a more formidable military resistance and geographic barriers that made it more difficult for England to conquer. Additionally, Scotland had alliances with other European countries that deterred England from fully conquering Scotland.