The McPherson Cat

This fierce creature depicted on the gnomon of the large sun dial at Attadale Gardens, Ross shire in the Highlands of Scotland.

The cat is the emblem of Clan MacPherson and their motto

''Touch not the cat bot a glove'

'Bot' means without.

The 'glove' of a wildcat is the pad. If the cat is 'ungloved', its claws are unsheathed. The motto serves as a warning that one should beware when the wildcat's claws are 'without a glove'. It is a reference to the historically violent nature of the clan and serves as a metaphorical warning to other clans that they should think twice before interfering with Macpherson business.