Nothing paints a better picture of Scotland than a romantic Highland castle or a historically significant towerhouse. Nothing, that is, except the ability to call yourself baron or baroness of your country pile.
Even though barony titles no longer afford power or land, a growing number of people want to buy one. Last year Americans, Canadians and Australians, keen to capitalise on the weak pound, rushed to buy a handle that proved their heritage — or at least their wealth.
“About half of purchasers have a family connection with Scotland,” says Brian Hamilton, who created the research and dealership company Scottish Barony Titles in the early 1990s. “They come to visit, but mostly these are people living outside the UK. I have even had a number of purchasers who have never been to the UK.”
According to Hamilton, most buyers are well-heeled foreigners looking “to treat themselves”.
“A Ferrari is a bit common, so they’ll buy a title,” he says. “In Scotland there is not a lot of money washing about, but once you get over the border things change a bit.”
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Since 2000, when the law relating to baronies changed, many landowners have sold their titles to raise cash. Issues in the top end of the property market have also played a part — a rise in the number of estates being divided to encourage sales has meant that more titles have been available in recent years. Hamilton cites the case of one landowner who sold 12 titles when he decided to split and sell his land.
As with all transactions, an understanding of the system is essential to ensure a smooth process. Follow our guide.
What is a baronial title — and how do I get one?
Until 2000 a baron was someone to whom land belonged, but that changed with the introduction of the Abolition of Feudal Tenure Etc (Scotland) Act, “when Scotland began to drag itself into the modern world”, says Hamilton.
Section 64 set out to separate land from barony titles to make ownership accessible to all. Baronies are no longer recorded in the Sasine register, the historical list of land deeds that dates from 1617, but appear in the Scottish Barony Register.
Despite fears that creating a new system might encourage fraudulent activity, since buyers are unable to check their title against official older records, strict acquisition rules safeguard sales.
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A baronial title is inherited or — increasingly — bought. In both cases the process is similar to buying or inheriting a house. A solicitor acting for the buyer or heir will examine the title to check that it is legitimate. A solicitor acting for the seller will look after the other side of the deal.
How much does a title cost?
Expect to pay £85,000 for a standard title, but some sell for a lot more depending on their historical or global importance. The quintessentially Scottish barony of MacDonald commanded an asking price of £1 million and the barony of Bannockburn was sold for a significant sum. There is also a “buyer’s premium”, or commission fee, to bear in mind.
Can I buy a property that comes with a baronial title?
Yes. Generally speaking, properties with top-end asking prices, for example, more than £1 million, may incorporate the cost of a title into the price as an incentive. Properties that cost less are more likely to state in the particulars that the baronial title is available through separate negotiation. Legally, a property put on the market will be considered as a separate entity from a title that can be bought with it.
Worthy of note is whether the barony title is directly linked to the property with which it is sold. Some titles bear no historical relation or even geographical proximity to the houses of their owners. If this is a key factor in the decision to purchase a title, check with the estate agent.
Will my spouse and I receive a title each?
Not officially. One person will hold the title and the other will take a courtesy title. If the buyer is female she will be a baroness and her husband will remain “Mr”. If a man purchases a title he will become a baron and his wife will be known as a baroness. A same-sex couple have not yet bought a title, according to official sources, so it is unclear what would happen in this case.
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How many baronial titles come up for sale each year?
There are fewer than five properties being offered for sale on the open market with a title. They include Ethie Castle in Angus, and Rockhall in Dumfries and Galloway.
In 2016, a boon year, 13 titles were sold through Hamilton. Five have been sold this year. While there is no official waiting list for people looking for a title in a specific part of the country, it is worth registering your interest if only a certain region in Scotland will suffice.
Will I get a coat of arms?
It is a crucial architectural feature above any castle’s front door, but a coat of arms does not come automatically with a title. While a barony brings you within the heraldic jurisdiction of the Court of the Lord Lyon, meaning a coat of arms can be granted if you apply, designs are personal to each family.
Recipients who are Scottish or who own Scottish property are eligible for the creation of their own coat of arms. This process involves an initial conversation with the Lyon office about your personal interests, your surname and any details you believe would be significant in iconographic representation. The finished product will be a personal reflection of your life and family history, and you will receive a “letters patent”, or official document of proof.
As well as personality, a coat of arms is also a chance to reflect an element of fun. For example, Hamilton’s design includes a smiling gastropod — a reference to Brian the snail from The Magic Roundabout, which was his childhood nickname.