Chalk consists of lime which is alkaline - many plants do not like alkaline soil.
Lime interferes with the uptake of various minerals, particularly Iron.
These "lime hating" plants will not thrive and may even die if grown in chalky soil.
"Lime hating" plants like an Acid soil in order to thrive and are known as "acid loving" or ericaceous plants.
Chalky soils are unusual in Scotland but what is common is localised patches of alkaline soil round old buidings that were once whitewashed with lime.

It is not really practical to cure chalky soil permanently. The usual treatments are:
1. Add sequestered iron to about once a year to compensate for the iron locked up by the alkaline chalk.
2. In past times rusty pieces of iron would be buried in the soil to increase the available iron.
3. Sulphur chips can be added to soil to help release the locked up iron.
4. Adding generous amounts of well rotted manure will help lower the pH
5. Peat is acidic and if added in quantity will help lower the pH.

(some deciduous Azaleas will tolerate lime)
This is not intended as an exhaustive list, rather some examples.

Alkaline soil has a pH above 7.
Neutral pH is 7.
Acid soil has a pH of less than 7 but less than 6 is preferable for "lime hating" plants.