Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

CATERAN, Catheran, Caterane, Kettrin, n. A Highland marauder or irregular fighting man. Also attrib. Properly a collective noun and therefore sometimes regarded as a pl., see quot. 4. Arch. For other variants with initial k, see quots. [′kɑt(ə)rɪn, ′kɛt-, ′kɑθ-, ′kɛθ-]Sc. 1808 Jam.:
Cateranes, Katheranes, bands of robbers, especially such as came down from the Highlands to the low country, and carried off cattle, corn, or whatever pleased them, from those who were not able to make resistance.Sc. [1828–1843] P. F. Tytler Hist. of Scot. (1864) I. 10:
The Ketherans and soldiers of the isles . . . raised the children on the points of their spears.Abd. 1768 A. Ross Helenore 16:
But ah! misfortune! while they fear'd no ill, A band of kettrins did their forrest fill.Ib. 23:
Rank kettren were they that did us the ill.Abd. 1826 D. Anderson Poems 57:
They the ketran clans were ca'd.Mearns 1844 W. Jamie Muse of the Mearns 98:
Tak ye my word, they're catheran loons, They'll shortly rankle a' our touns.m.Sc. 1927 J. Buchan Witch Wood xiv.:
The veriest cateran that ever reived in the Hielands would be assoilzied on such a plea.Slk. a.1835 Hogg Tales (1837) VI. 280:
The scene was so ludicrous that the captain of that Katheran band could not help smiling.