All I want for Christmas...

[auld argonian]

Thus, I predict that henceforth NO gathering of Xsmarksers held anywhere on the planet will be complete without a formal toast to the Laird of Lochaber. And I don't want to get ahead or you, Ham, but might there be a tartan (existing or yet to be designed) that goes along with this?

As to the building, remember the old Groucho Marx line: "...it's just a stones throw from the train station...and when they throw enough stones, we'll build a station." I trust that there are enough local craftsmen about to be able to throw up a place that has that "lived in for a few hundred years" look? Sounds like you have a project. And the fishing thing is not only easy but really gratifying at whatever level you decide to engage it at so you should give it a try...some potentially lovely meals there...start growing some dill for the salmon...

Best

AA

[auld argonian]

Do you mean the land that is offered for sale here?: http://www.scottishhighlandestates.c...FSZzUAod9TFcMQ

If so, it is a quite small estate indeed.

...sounds like the deed might be larger than the actual estate!

ROTFLMKAO...but that doesn't change my sentiments about that toast...any excuse!


Best

AA

[gilmore]

...sounds like the deed might be larger than the actual estate!

ROTFLMKAO...but that doesn't change my sentiments about that toast...any excuse!


Best

AA

Unfortunately, some people take things like these "lairdships" seriously, and are sadly disappointed.

[Tattoo Bradley]

Oh MAN! I'm adding that to my Christmas list!

[billmcc]

Do you mean the land that is offered for sale here?: http://www.scottishhighlandestates.c...FSZzUAod9TFcMQ

If so, it is a quite small estate indeed.

Is a person really buying a very small piece of land or is this a scam? I think it is a nice idea. Own a bit of Scotland and protect it from being developed.

Since Lochaber is a district, a tartan already exists. See it here:
http://scotwebstore.com/tartan/Locha...hterm=Lochaber

[auld argonian]

There was a promotion for "Sgt. Preston of the Yukon" that was hatched during the 1950's...if you sent in the box tops, you got a deed to one square inch of a land plot int he Yukon Province of Canada. I've heard that people show up at the Antiques Roadshow with the deeds and want to know if they're still of any value...sadly, they aren't...I've seen the paper deeds for sale on Ebay. Not a scam, just a promotion for a TV show and a breakfast cereal but fun to remember. So what's the harm? And if it helps to keep some land from being developed, all the better...I can think of a few places in the USA where it might be a good idea for a lot of people to buy a square foot or a square inch or an acre just to keep the land from developers who want to create more suburban sprawl. Seems like it's all in good fun...but if you do want to put a house on it, try this guy's products:

http://www.tumbleweedhouses.com/houses.htm

Best

AA

[Tattoo Bradley]

HAHA.
Of COURSE that is part of my motivation. I would most certainly have to have a kilt made from a Lochaber district tartan. I'm pretty fond of the ancient shade... but you can't go wrong with a weathered tartan either.

[gilmore]

So what's the harm? And if it helps to keep some land from being developed, all the better...I can think of a few places in the USA where it might be a good idea for a lot of people to buy a square foot or a square inch or an acre just to keep the land from developers who want to create more suburban sprawl. Seems like it's all in good fun
AA

To quote from the website:
"In this day and age, status is everything
Being a member of the titled few will change your life. Preferential treatment could be around every corner

We sell a compete package for only £29.99 which will give you the recognition you deserve. You are purchasing one square foot of land in Lochaber, gaining with it the inherent right to style yourself Laird of Lochaber.

Absolutely Legal:
Scots law and traditions state that any Scottish estate owner can be styled as Laird (Scottish equivalent of Lord) or Lady"

This simply is not true.

The harm is that these tiny pieces of land are being sold as if there was actually a lairdship that goes with them. There is not. Or that it is, or rather was, possible for several people to own the same feudal barony and claim to be the laird of it. It was not. Some people think they are thus buying a feudal barony. They are not.


It is true that Scottish feudal baronies are the only European titles of nobility that can be bought and sold, but the feudal system of holding land in Scotland was abolished a few years ago, so that these titles no longer are attached to the land, or vice versa. See here:http://www.scotland.gov.uk/deleted/l...10/afs2-01.htm

especially this section which is directly on point: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/deleted/l...10/afs2-12.htm

When some one advertises and sells something that does not exist, it is called fraud.

[gilmore]

Is a person really buying a very small piece of land or is this a scam? .

To quote the website:

"Q. Do I need to register my land?

A. No. In fact The Land Registration (Scotland) Act 1979 Section 4 (1)(b) prohibits you from registering your land - just because this would tie up the Registrar with so many small plots..."


What does this smell like to you?

[billmcc]

One could look at it as a donation to protect some unspoiled land and wildlife in Scotland, providing the money is actually going to be used to prevent the land from being developed. The issue of being a Laird or Lady is of no importance to me, though it would be good for a few laughs.

If this isn't an outright scam, my wife (and maybe myself) will be getting an interesting present this Christmas.