The phrase is Anglo-Saxon for "I Cannot Forget". It would not be far off base, to believe that the reason of the motto, "I Cannot Forget", may very well have to do with the feud between the Douglas's when the laird sieged the Ochiltree Castle and hung two Colville's for them killing, Lord Douglas's friend John Auchinleck. Douglas sought revenge, but did so without the help of the law, and from then on the fued was on between the Colville's and Douglas's. The Auchinleck's were at one time very dear friends of the Colville's. So it could basically mean I cannot forget the event that happened or even not forget the one time friendship.

Many Clans have mottos that double as warnings. It may also be a warning to the other clans, given the history and reputation of most Highland and Lowland Clans.

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