breacan

Breacan is a Scottish Gaelic word that translates to "speckled" or "mottled." It is often used in descriptions of natural phenomena, such as the appearance of certain animals or the patterns found in stones. For instance, a bird might be described as breacan if it has a coat of many different colored spots or patches. The term can also refer to a type of textile, particularly tartan, where the intersecting threads create a speckled effect in the weave.

In the context of heraldry, breacan can describe a pattern of alternating colors, similar to a chequerboard or a dappled effect. This term is less common in modern heraldic parlance but appears in older descriptions. The visual characteristic of being breacan implies a lack of uniformity, a mixture of elements that together form a distinctive appearance. It captures a sense of natural variation and intricate patterning, frequently encountered in the landscapes and traditional crafts of Scotland.