Scotlandⁱ can grow barley but not hops, whilst England can grow both¹.   This combined with the English historically putting a large tax on exported hops meant that the Scottish had to make a little go a long way.   This resulted in traditional Scottish ales being maltier and less hoppy than English ales.

There is no reason now of course why styles brewed in either country should be any different other than history and culture.   The stereotypical example is Caledonian 80/-.   The eighty shilling (80/-) name comes from the historical tax that was imposed on each barrel according to the alcoholic strength of the beer.   80/- was regular beer, 70/- was a weaker style and 90/- not suprisingly was the best, stronger beer.

¹ Barley grows in temperate regions around the globe in large bands either side of the equator.   Hops grow in a narrower band in temperate regions.   The result is that just about all areas of the planet that can grow hops can grow barley but not the other way around.