Are ‘Established Titles’ & ‘Highland Titles’ Legitimate or a Scam?
As a few of us contributors here are proud Scots, we talk about all things 'Scottish' (like Scottish Whiskey and Gin Distilleries). We write about tourist attractions, our fascinating Royal history and things that make us extremely proud to be Scottish.
A huge chunk of our readers hail from across the pond in the USA and they are famously very proud of their heritage. Many of them end up reading our blog before travelling here, to their ancestral homeland.
A phenomenon we are well aware of is the process of becoming a Laird (Scottish Lord) or Lady via souvenir land ownership - we're also aware that the companies are subject to bad press and are accused of 'scamming' customers.
Thousands of Americans (and many UK citizens) spend millions of dollars (and pounds) every year on becoming a Scottish Lord/Lady (they can even be purchased on Amazon), so we thought we'd do some digging.
We chose the two largest/most used companies and decided to see if they are legitimate or a complete con.
Let's get into it: are 'Established Titles' & 'Highland Titles' legitimate?
Who is behind the companies?
So, before we dig into the nuts and bolts of what the companies do day to day, it is worth exploring the people behind the companies. We wanted to understand whether these are legitimate business people, or shadowy entities hiding from the spotlight.
The highlights are:
- Highland Titles is owned by a London-based Zoologist (Who lives in Scotland) and Established Titles is owned by a lady from Hong Kong (who we think still) lives in York, England.
- Highland Titles is a Charity set up in Gurnsey - Established Titles seems to be part of an international equity group.
- Both companies advertise that they invest in reforestation projects in Scotland and own land in Scotland
- Highland Title's office is based on their nature reserve in Scotland - Established Titles do not seem to have a fixed address here.
Established Titles
Established Titles are listed to be based in Huntly, Scotland and claim to have several small locations around Scotland that are used to plant trees and maintain the local environment. There are plots in: Ardallie, Aberdeenshire, Dunfermline (well, a village close by), Southwick, Dumfries and Galloway, Aberdeenshire, Wigtownshire. We did notice some online reviews mentioning that customers couldn't visit the land.
The company was established in 2020 by Katerina Kip, a Law graduate from the University of Durham, and a resident of York (it seems). It seems as though the young businesswoman cut her teeth in the business with intellectual property management, and venture capital companies from Hong Kong (Galton Voysey which is mentioned on the about us page).
We aren't sure whether Katerina has any strong ties in Scotland yet, but the Established Titles website does mention that she plans to make Scotland her home one day.
Without a doubt, Katerina's online presence is impressive - she is an exceptional entrepreneur.
Highland Titles
Highland Titles has a slightly different set-up, but similar. The company was founded in 2006 by Dr Peter Bevis, a Zoologist from London, and his daughter Laura. Another notable member of the team is Doug, the CEO, who is mentioned in media inclusions across the internet.
The company started by selling plots from land owned by the Bevis family in order to fund reforestation and repair their land which had been previously destroyed by deforestation. Their commitment has led to the development of 2 nature reserves where the company use its profits to maintain the grounds and fund rewilding projects.
It is possible for 'Lairds and Ladies' to visit the land they fund, and we believe there is documentation for the patrons on site.
The company is registered as a charitable trust and is registered in Gurnsey.
What do you get from the companies?
What makes this all possible is a potential loophole in the Scottish Law of land ownership.
In Scots law, a land owner is entitled, Laird - which is the Scottish equivalent to 'Lord'.
While traditionally (and in English Law), a Lordship can only be purchased (for obscene amounts of money) or gifted to the recipient (usually for exceptional service to her majesty the queen or her government), in Scotland, the law allows any land owner to use the title.
The land purchased from Established Titles or Highland Titles is known as a 'souvenir' plot and is more representative than actually owning the land outright. This means that, while you own the land in law, you're not entitled to it. You cannot build on it, fence it off or make claims to it as a registered landowner.
In essence, what you're doing is 'investing' into the land to ensure it is maintained and protecting Scotland's wildlife; in return, you're able to refer to yourself as a Lord or Lady.
We go into a little bit more detail as to whether this is legal below.
Established Titles Vs Highland Titles
Highland Titles
- What Conservation Work Does the Company Do? Rewilding, planting trees, beekeeping and other activities. Plus lots of work with local conservationists.
- Can you visit the Land? Yes, it seems that this is encouraged. The nature reserves themselves are officially 4* tourist attractions.
- Can you meet the owners? Yes, the owners regularly meet customers.
Prices: £40 ($50) per 1 square foot. You'll get a 'luxury' welcome pack.
Online Reviews
Established Titles
- What Conservation Work Does the Company Do? From the website, Established Titles plant a tree for every order and the website says that £42,000 has been donated so far
- Can you visit the Land? Not as far as we are aware. We have seen reviews online mentioning that the land is not accessible.
- Can you meet the owners? Not as far as we are aware.
Prices: £40 ($50) per 1 square foot. You'll also get a welcome pack but some reviews mention it is poorly printed.
Online Reviews
Are Established Titles and Highland Titles Legal?
The short answer is yes, the long answer is 'it's complicated. There is nothing 'illegal' about the scheme but it is a loophole in Scottish law.
These small plots of land are referred to as 'souvenir plots', which have a long history in Scotland.
What is behind their legality is the 'Scottish Law of land ownership' - specifically 'souvenir plots'. In Scots law, a land owner (of at least a foot in size) is entitled, Laird or Lady - and therefore the owner can refer to themselves with that title.
While traditionally (in English Law), a Lordship can only be purchased or gifted to the recipient (usually for exceptional service to her majesty the queen or her government), in Scotland, the law allows any land owner to use the title.
Whether this can stand up in an official sense (like applying for your Passport to be Lord X is something we're not sure about).
Like us, you may also be confused and what many may not be aware of is that when you purchase the land, you're not entitled to it in the same way as if you purchased land outright.
The land purchased from Established Titles or Highland Titles is a 'souvenir' and is more representative than actually owning a bit of land. You are putting money into a pot that is used to maintain the land and improves the Scottish landscape/ wildlife. Therefore, while you may visit the land (at least for Highland Titles), you cannot build on it or fence it off (for example).
So, does owning a 'souvenir' plot of land make you a Lord or Lady? Yes.
Does it entitle you in the eyes of others? maybe not.
Put it this way, if you tell a Scottish person that you're Lord (your name) of Glencoe from Kentucky, you're not going to get special treatment. Likely the opposite.
What this is, is a lovely gesture, gift or something to make life a bit more exciting.
NB: just a little word of warning. While it is legal to call yourself a 'Lord' or "Lady' in the UK, you cannot use this title to deceive or profit from it. Therefore, a cheeky suggestion that you're a Lord to encourage somebody to buy something, or give you a discount is fraud, and illegal.
Controversy - 'Established Titles Scam'
For the sake of balance, we need to talk about the elephant in the room. Although buying yourself a title is legal in Scotland, it is subject to a lot of bad publicity. Both Highland Titles and Established Titles have been the subject of articles written as an 'expose' of the 'scams' the are said to be.
Google even suggests 'Established Titles Scam' when searching the company online. This means that many people search for that.
The main objection is that 'you don't really own the land' - well, that is somewhat true. You don't really own the land but both companies seem to keep a record of their customers and recognise them as patrons of the land. In the same way, you don't own a donkey you sponsor with a wildlife charity, you're supporting the charity you put money into or the same way you own communal land on your estate.
In short - you pay to 'invest' in the upkeep of that land.
The second is that they do not give you an official title. As we've mentioned above, we're not experts, but the experts do seem to agree that selling souvenir plots does entitle the owner to a 'Lairdship'. Again, it does not mean you're an actual Lord, Like Lord Darcy, but it does make you a legal 'land owner'.
It is a bit of fun and a good gift.
Finally, there is the issue of mismanagement of funds and evasion of tax. Well, Highland Titles is a charity registered off-shore (and therefore does not pay tax) but they do invest significantly into their conservation efforts. Established Titles do not seem to have had any issues with money but they clearly do make an exorbitant amount of money and seem to be part of a holding company which is not based in the UK. Whether either company is run unethically is not up to us to decide.
As long as you know that this is a novelty, a bit of fun and does not entitle you to a genuine Lordship that grants you a personal relationship to the Queen, then you'll enjoy the experience at the very least.
19 Comments
Mary Howard
Where do you go to purchase a souvenir plot from Highland Titles?
Lord Jon Harris
https://www.highlandtitles.com
Robin
Dont buy ,its a scam , you dont get the title ,you dont get anything ,the title is not recognized.Its fake and gay ,dont buy.
Duke
What’s gay about buying a souvenir? Also, it’s not fake, everything is real, just not entitled. Or maybe you do want to be “entitled”, maybe you should change your name to Karen.
Deborah Blair
I just bought a plot and understand I don’t actually own the land but can be considered a steward of the land. To me, it is the perfect novelty gift for the person who has everything. The only people who would have a problem with this idea are the ones who were expecting prestige, or a way to make money off it. Just sayin’
Soloman Gilespie
It’s a bottle of plonk that’s had it’s lid off.
Richard
Are you 7?
They LITERALLY state that this is meant as MORE so a novelty
Brett Rock
Thank you for the explanation. A chef on YouTube was sponsored by this Established Titles company which I find obnoxious. I don’t think he did much research before he accepted the offer. It has to be said that this Katerina Kip is very clever, though. Good head for marketing.
Lord Anthony Dean
If all I get out of this is a few laughs I’m happy to go with the five footer. I get my share of paperwork, so adding Lord to my documents will keep me confusing the **** out of them for months to come. All for the cost of a meal and a couple of pints. BARGAIN!
Kristina Lavergne
I appreciate the overview and admit I did not do any due diligence when I bought into established titles. I thought of it simply as a surprise for hubby and donating towards a good cause. It is giving me pause now as to whether this Katerina is truly investing the money into the land or not…
Bobby
I was leaning towards Highland Titles, but the conspicuous focus on the fact that the owner of the other one is an immigrant woman means I’ll be buying it from her.
Lord Daniel
My only concern is the following: Are these companies owning land, and is a plot of land assigned exclusively to my name from the money of purchase onward. If this is true, and especially if they do the planting of trees (directly or through conservation efforst they sponsor), then they’re doing what they promised and I’m okay with it.
Gregg Eshelman
Years ago a similar thing was done in Sun Valley, Idaho. Actor Slim Pickens was the pitchman “selling” square inches of land for $1 apiece.
Chris
I’ve been seeing a number of ads for one of these companies and was wondering what their deals were. It reminds me of those “not-technically-scams” where people used to “sell” stars and whatnot. Doesn’t seem too far off from that, in truth, given that I don’t think the land was going to see any sort of work done on it regardless.
As an ecology student I am interested if their “reforesting” efforts are a good thing though. Scottland hosts many beautiful ecosystems outside of forests and it’s important those aren’t destroyed or neglected for the sake of artificial forests.
Lord Tim
Bought this for my wife as a lovely novelty gift. I know I am not actually buying into Scottish nobility – what idiot would think that? One thing I haven’t heard mentioned, however, is your right to use the title. The Highland Titles website claims that they trademarked the titles of Laird, Lord, or Lady of Glencoe. As the trademark holder, that then gives them the power to allow people to use their trademark, much like if Pepsi let you call yourself Pepsi or McDonald’s let you call yourself McDonald’s. In that sense (IP or intellectual property) they do own the name and they can give people permission to use it at their discretion. As long as you’re not stupid enough to actually think it makes you noble, call yourself Laird, Lord, Lady or whatever you want.
Richard
This is exactly what it’s meant for
Chris S
Scotland Titles is a scam. I paid up front and more than a month later, I have yet to receive what I purchased, novelty or otherwise. They won’t respond to me emails ormy “please send me my stuff” requests through their website. And then they blocked me on facebook when I asked for the same.
Medina ODea
I’ve have come across 3/4 You Tubers that have had Episodes Sponsored by Establish Titles, who offer their Viewers a certain % off if they use their code, but they claim that Not only do u get a Placque Stating Lord/Lady so & so but that u can Legally change ur passport/driving licence to state Lord/Lady so & so, they also do Not Make Clear that One Does NOT Own the Land Outright but rather as u State Donating the ££ towards the upkeep of the land, which by anyone’s Standard is Very Misleading indeed, these companies should be made to be Clear of the Legalities of how people can use the term Lord/Lady & if they really can change legal documents to state Lord/Lady so & so
Kaspars
Just bought a plot,even if I don’t own it or can’t use lord title,i am happy to donate 50gbp for a three!