Before Sir Walter Raleigh's introduction of the potato to the British Isles, the Scots' main source of carbohydrate was bread made from oats or barley. Wheat was generally difficult to grow because of the damp climate.
Prior to Sir Walter Raleigh introducing potatoes to the British Isles, the Scots relied on oat and barley-based bread as their main source of carbohydrates. Growing wheat proved difficult in the damp climate.