Five penalties from Chris Paterson kept his team within touching distance going into the last quarter. However, Scotland's failure to create any significant try-scoring chances meant Wales were always in control at the Millenium Stadium.
The Scots conceded three tries - including a controversial score from Shane Williams.
Scotland coach Frank Hadden blames a failure to perform the basics for Scotland's woes.
"Ball in hand we were just awful," Hadden told BBC Sport. "We were getting turned over too often.
"The first thing we need to do is improve our set-piece and then hold onto the ball, we are struggling."
Hadden admitted his side have to make significant improvements in the fortnight before their trip to Croke Park to face Ireland on 23 February.
"At the moment we are not getting started, (we have) no platform to launch attacking strategies," said Hadden.
"The players have to take responsibility and will have to front up against Ireland in Dublin.
"They are aware of what we are trying to do but it's not coming off."
A more damning appraisal of Scotland's performance came from Wales coach Warren Gatland. He said: "They made it pretty easy for us. They were just picking and going off the rucks and never threw the ball wide and never threatened us. They never put us under any pressure at all."
Asked if he thought Scotland were harshly treated by the television match official (TMO), Carlo DaMasco, who incorrectly awarded Wales their third try Gatland responded with a remark that seemed to speak volumes about his thoughts on how Scotland's performance. "To be honest, I don't really feel sorry for Scotland."