The inscription borne by the Brandsbutt Stone,
IRATADDOARENS, has been described by
Katherine Forsyth as appearing to be "utterly baffling". However, a handful of interpretations have been offered. Other examples of the name Ethernan being preserved on Pictish stones include, in Ogham, The Newton Stone (IDDARRNNN),
Rodney's Stone (EDDARRNON) and The Scoonie Stone (EDDARRNONN), and, in Latin script, The
Fordoun Stone (
PIDARNOIN). The
ira- may be a
Pictish verb cognate with
Breton irha meaning "he lies".
Thomas Clancy proposed that the text represents the Gaelic phrase
i rath Aduarén s- meaning "this is the property of Aduarén here". ==References==