MANY of us who trace our family tree may secretly hope they might turn out to be related to someone rich, famous, or even a member of the nobility. But for those who find they have no such genteel connections, there is another way to secure your own title, provided you have at least £50,000 in cash to spare, that is.
A barony was once an estate of land held by the Crown, with a charter erecting the land into a barony and recorded in the Register of the Great Seal of Scotland. Historically, the monarch used barony titles to secure the allegiance of a powerful subject and to help maintain public order, as barons held their own courts until the mid-18th century.
Recent changes to ancient feudal law, under the Abolition of Feudal Tenure (Scotland) Act 2000, have meant that Scottish barony titles are no longer attached to the lands that they once came with. As a result, some Scottish peers with spare barony titles are selling them on – and those with the funds can buy themselves the right to be a bona fide Baron.
The legislation, which came into force in late 2004, preserves the heraldic rights of barons and the title can be sold on or left to someone in a will. A baron can also petition the Lord Lyon - who decides all matters related to heraldry - for a grant of arms.
There appears to be worldwide interest in acquiring these Scottish barony titles, although many buyers and sellers prefer to remain anonymous. The Seton family's website reveals the identity of one title buyer, Andrew Jarosz, who had asked to be septed – or formally allied – to the Seton clan, after acquiring the Barony of Kirkliston, a village on the outskirts of Edinburgh.
"Mr Jarosz petitioned the Setons via this website's author, Kenneth Seton of Nova Scotia, to become a recognized modern Sept of the House of Seton," reports the website.
Jarosz, an eastern European, purchased his title from the Marquis of Linlithgow, Adrian Hope, of Hopetoun House. He was helped by Brian Hamilton, who runs Scottish Barony Titles – an organisation that facilitates the buying and selling of titles. Hamilton says that an average of a dozen such titles change hands every year.
Some titles have commanded huge sales figures, despite the fact that they bring little more than historical prestige. One of the most coveted was the barony of MacDonald, which was sold by Sir Ian Noble.
"I have sold the Barony of MacDonald and the asking price was £1 million," says Hamilton. "Eighteen months ago I sold the Barony of Braemar, which again was a very prestigious title."
When asked how much these titles sold for, and to whom, he will only say: "I am sworn to secrecy."
Hamilton says the cost of buying a title can vary, but adds: "You would be lucky to get one today for £50,000 and they are becoming more difficult to source."
But why would anyone want to pay tens of thousands of pounds – let alone hundreds of thousands – for a title that has no power or lands attached?
Hamilton says there is no simple answer to this question.
"Some people have a connection with Scotland, some people like to treat themselves."
However, he concedes that the owners who are selling them do not usually miss the barony titles.
"Most of my clients have superior titles – the barony title is not a peerage title. If you are the Duke of Something, you are not going to be worried about three or four barony titles."
Hamilton will not divulge the fees he takes from the sale of the titles. "I take a commission – I am not about to tell you what it is. My clients are happy with the service I provide. I do all the research for them, and that part is not easy.
"It's very much like buying a house. There are solicitors on both sides of the deal and a solicitor checks that what we are offering is genuine."
Hamilton adds that he has secured his own barony title – he is the Baron of Lag – but it was acquired when he bought his property in Dumfriesshire. He does not try to persuade clients that a barony title is a good investment, and says the trade does no harm in promoting Scotland's heritage.
"In its own very small way, it is good for Scotland. We are bringing in money and nothing tangible leaves. The people who buy them come back to Scotland once they have got a title, and they spend a lot of money here."
