Clan Motto Translation

[MacGillivray]

Hello all,

While cruising the internet in search of some translation help, I found this forum. Thus far, I have only been able to translate our clan motto piecemeal, with a word here and there, but without any grammatical assistance. I was hoping to have it translated to help my grandfather with his quarterly family newsletter and possibly pamphlets and banners we use at Highland Games festivals. I was incredibly impressed with the translations already here on the forum, and I will be frequenting these threads quite often now!

Our clan motto is that of Clan Chattan, being "Touch not this cat, but a glove". If anyone could suggest a possible translation of this motto into Scottish Gaelic, I would greatly appreciate the assistance!

[ScotSites]

A quick search found this translation on WikiAnswers:

Na bean don chat gun lamhainn

Hopefully someone else will be able to confirm if that is correct as everywhere else I see this motto it always appears to be in English!

[Magenta]

Originally Posted by MacGillivray

Hello all,

Our clan motto is that of Clan Chattan, being "Touch not this cat, but a glove".

I'm intrigued - what does your motto mean?

[Polwarth]

Make sure you're wearing stout gloves when approaching a cat.

[Magenta]

Originally Posted by Polwarth

Make sure you're wearing stout gloves when approaching a cat.

Thanks - makes perfect sense now.
Living by that motto is sure to get you out of a sticky situation from time to time - I may adopt it.
(the motto - not the cat)

[Calum Mac Neill]

"Na bean don chat gun làmhainn" would be the correct modern spelling. It literally means "don't touch the cat without a glove". Notice the grave accent above the first A in 'làmhainn'.

[ScotSites]

Thanks for correcting that Calum; I had seen the word làmhainn elsewhere with the grave accent, but unfortunately it wasn't included on the Gaelic version I found!