The claims of the various peddlers of fake Scottish titles may vary slightly, as do their prices, but, broadly speaking, they are generally similar. For demonstration purposes we have selected one of the more longstanding ones, ‘Highland Titles’.
Become the Laird, Lord or Lady of Glencoe, etc.
The purchase of land in Scotland is not sufficient, per se, to qualify anyone to legally use the title of Laird. The title ‘Lord’ is a ‘Peerage title’ (or a courtsy title of a Scottish ‘Law Lord’) and although it is true to say that the word Laird does derive from Lavert, which is the same root as the word Lord, a genuinely recognised Laird, is a member of the Nobilitas Minora, whereas those who are legally entitled to call themselves Lord, belong to the Nobilitas Majora, or the Peerage. The two terms are certainly not interchangeable.
A Lairdship is, in itself, a title which is linked to the Land, but for it to become a title and part of the name of the individual who owns the land, it is necessary to petition Scotland’s supreme herald, the Lord Lyon King of Arms, for the title to be officially recognised. The Lord Lyon does not actually recognise anyone as a Laird. Rather, he recognises their right to a territorial designation. For example, if someone buys a Scottish estate which for many years has been known as Glensmith, and if this meets the land criteria stipulated by the Lord Lyon (in terms of acreage), on petitioning for a Grant of Arms in that name (or for a change of name certificate if he already has Arms) he will be recognised as “John Smith of Glensmith”. He is also entitled to call himself “The Laird of Glensmith”. It is impossible to have numerous “Lairds” of a single Estate at the same time, as has been advertised by these companies. It should also be pointed out that an area of between one and one thousand square feet does not constitute a legitimate “Estate”! If simply being a landowner in Scotland made you a Laird, Lord or Lady then every owner of a house, garden plot or window box would be one….how ridiculous!!
“The Court of the Lord Lyon, which deals with heraldic matters and coats of arms in Scotland, said that the Glencoe title – like the many others on offer – was ‘meaningless’.”
A legal title deed for your land ownership, on vellum parchment.
These web-sites state that purchasers of these small, square foot parcels of land are not, in fact, required to register their title with the Scottish Land Register, because they are exempt under the Land Registration (Scotland) Act 1979, Section 4(1)(b). Instead, they state that the land is transferred by a contract between Highlandtitles.com and the purchaser of the land.
Section 4(1)(b) of the above Act states that the keeper of the Land Register will not accept an application to register the transfer of ownership of land if it relates to a souvenir plot, i.e. “a piece of land ……… of inconsiderable size or no practical utility”. It is not possible to transfer real ownership rights in such small pieces of land as the keeper of the Scottish Land Register will not accept an application to register ownership thereof.
Scots Law does recognise the transfer of ownership of property by contract i.e a personal right in the land. This happens each time someone buys or sells a house. However for this contract to be valid there is legislation governing the signing and witnessing of the contract –
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1995/7/contents The ownership of the property i.e. a right in the land itself does not pass to the purchaser until the contract or land deed is registered formerly in the Registered in the Land Register of Scotland.
“1sq ft of land does not entitle them to use the title of “Laird, Lord or Lady”
Master Title Deed to change your title on bank accounts, driving license and other ID
Regarding the use of territorial designations (or the adoption of such titles as “Laird of X”) in a passport, the Lord Lyon has provided guidance on this matter to the UK Passport Office. These guidelines are available through the following link:
http://www.ips.gov.uk/cps/files/ips/liv ... ssports_(2).pdf
The Lord Lyon King of Arms has also confirmed that for Scottish Lairds it is not necessary for the words “Laird of” to appear on any part of a passport. Instead, the territorial designation should be used, e.g. “John Smith of Glensmith”. Requests for Manorial or Scottish Feudal Titles to be included in a passport will only be accepted by the Passport Office if accompanied by written confirmation from the Lord Lyon in the form of Letters Patent or a Change of Name certificate . If accepted by the Passport Office, such titles will be recorded in the passport with an observation similar to:
THE HOLDER IS THE LORD OF THE MANOR OF…………………..
The contract provided by Highland Titles would not meet the requirements stipulated by the Passport Office. As such, the claim on Highland Titles web-site, that their contract can be used to amend a passport with the title “Laird of” is completely false. Information on Territorial Designations from the Court of the Lord Lyon, Scotland
From the DVLA Driver Vehicle Licensing Agency UK
“If you require your title to be changed to a title of nobility or honour e.g. Lord, Lady or Sir, the title must relate to an honour granted by the Sovereign of the United Kingdom and you must be entitled to use the title in accordance with the honour’s traditional style of usage.
Please note, we only recognise genuine British titles. If you have purchased a title purporting to allow you to use a title such as Sir, Lord, Laird or Lady, we will not recognise such a title because you cannot purchase a genuine British title.
In all cases, if we do not accept your desired title or we do not receive documentary evidence of an approved title. Changing your name by Deed Poll, the licence will be issued showing your name change only”
Coats of Arms
“As Laird (Lord) or Lady of Glencoe, you’ll be entitled to use our specially designed crest. This insignia is carried on your Land Title Deed and incorporates heraldic devices which pertain to our preservation and restoration of Glencoe Wood.”
The arms pictured above are supposed to represent a “Scottish Coat of Arms” which anyone using the above ‘Fake Laird Titles’, can freely use. Displaying Arms which have not been officially granted to you or to which you do not have a legal right, can lead to prosecution in Scotland where heraldry is carefully and rigorously regulated. In other countries you could merely look foolish and attract a certain amount of ridicule. Please read our article on the ”Law of Arms in Scotland”.
Lifetime access to Keil Hill (backing onto Glencoe Wood) & use of the footpaths across the entire 2000 acre estate
Under current countryside access legislation in Scotland, everyone is able to access Keil Hill and the footpaths without the need to buy land to obtain this right. See
http://www.outdooraccess-scotland.com/o ... ss-rights/ The right to camp on Keil Hill (backing onto Glencoe Wood) and your plot whenever you want with no restrictions
Wild Camping is permitted by the Scottish countryside access code and there is no requirement to buy land to obtain this right.
http://www.snh.gov.uk/docs/A342167.pdf An Extract From The Baronage Press regarding these so called Lairdships
“A few centuries ago most of the genuine holders of such titles were noble by definition and the proof of that nobility (the test of that nobility) was the lawful possession of a coat of arms. Arms were and are the ensigns of nobility, and thus we have a simple test that can establish immediately whether the titles being sold are titles of nobility. Will the buyer be recognised by the relevant heraldic authority as the holder of a noble title? In Scotland the authority is the Lord Lyon King of Arms, and no one may present himself as an authentic laird, a noble, unless he bears arms lawfully granted, matriculated or recognised by the Lord Lyon.
Thus the man who pays his 365 dollars to become the Laird of Camster will receive his one square foot of land and his “deed”, but the “coat of arms” promised will be a picture of arms that are not his, he will not be recognised by the Lord Lyon, and if he pretends to be a laird (or, as is advised, a lord) he will risk prosecution for false pretences when he uses that pretence to assist any simple commercial transaction (such as, for example, hiring a car). Moreover, it is unlawful in Scotland to use or display any arms unauthorised by the Lord Lyon. The penalties for first offences include confiscation of property and a fine, but second offences may merit imprisonment. That is the law, and the law is still valid. (A plea that the offender has paid US$365 for the arms will not amount to an adequate defence.)” –
http://www.baronage.co.uk/bphtm-01/scams1.html Australian Sunrise Channel 7 Video Clip
The video clip below from ‘Australian Sunrise Channel 7′ Interview with ‘Scottish Highland Titles’, incidentally based in Guernsey Not Scotland, is an insult to the Scottish people. The video however must have boosted sales for these ‘Fake Title Peddlers’ in Australia as Lochaber Highland Estates (part of the same group) have recently unveiled a board thanking Australian residents for their generosity. This despite the interview being absolute nonsense!
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