Ok, so is this a scam or a genuine conservation effort?

**turpin** · 17th April 10, 05:56 AM

Ownership in the Lochcaber estate gives you some sort of fishing rights there as well as knowing you own a piece of the ground.

**Drac** · 17th April 10, 07:01 AM

I came across them here -

http://www.lochaberhighlandestates.com/

The one that really caught my attention was this one since it has a Lamont connection -

http://scottishlaird.com/

Jim

**Jock Scot** · 17th April 10, 07:26 AM

Ok I have the odd acre in Lochaber, so I don't need another square yard. If it were me, I would keep your money in your pocket. Hamish is a "Laird of Lochaber" and if I remember correctly he tried unsuccessfully to find "his" plot. Big Mickey is another "laird of Lochaber" too, I think. As a bit of fun it is harmless I suppose and IF it buys one more oak tree, then it can't be all bad.

**McClef** · 17th April 10, 12:28 PM

You can buy a bottle of Laphroaig for much less and become Laird of a square foot of Islay into the bargain!

**skauwt** · 17th April 10, 02:50 PM

is there any evidence of the conservation they do with the cash sent?
as jock said if it buys one more oak for example then id think it was a great idea but i couldn't find any proof of the conservation they do i don't know if i`m just not looking hard enough or im being blind

**ccga3359** · 17th April 10, 05:02 PM

It could be just for upkeep of a private estate so that one doesn't have to sell to Mr. Trump for an exclusive golf course. Still conservation to a degree, he can't sell a plot owned by you without consent.

**ThistleDown** · 17th April 10, 06:04 PM

Grant has hit it quite squarely. This is obviously a scheme to attract funds, but it also means that once sold to you the land cannot be sold out from under you. In that manner it is being saved even if an oak is not being planted. Perhaps a bit better than installing a wind farm in terms of conservation? By the way, I think our Wiz is also a Laird of Lochaber with Hamish and Big Mikey. If I remember correctly, the cost of acquiring a lairdship was something in the near neighbourhood of GBP25 or 30 when they bought in.

Rex

**The Wizard of BC** · 17th April 10, 11:02 PM

Rex is correct. My lovely wife bought me my fishing estate for my birthday in Jan. 07.
See my signature block.
Hamish, Mikey and I have our estates in the old section which is about 25 miles up the Stean from where these current plots are. Instead of lochside we are right on the river.
I didn't get that far north on my trip to Scotland last year so never had an opportunity to dip a line for a salmon.
But if I ever do get up there to see my little fishing estate I'm going to take a David Winter Castle and set in on "MY" piece of Scotland for a photo. Of course I'll have to lay on my stomach to create the proper dramatic effect.

Is it a real conservation project? Well, the land is now secure from development.
Mostly it's all in good fun. I get the legal right to call myself a Laird (Which by the way, for those on this side of the pond, just means landowner) and the folks with the small unused pasture get some cash. What they do with it I don't really care. I think my plot cost just enough for a couple to go to a movie if they only get a small popcorn.

**Jock Scot** · 17th April 10, 11:21 PM

Er Steve, I think you mean the "Spean". The salmon can't get that far up as there is a large waterfall that they cannot negotiate. I think a trout was seen up there in 1897,or was it '98. If you are looking for "your patch" it is just downstream of Loch Laggan between Tulloch and Roy Bridge.

**Jock Scot** · 18th April 10, 12:00 AM

Hummm, Jock with his farming hat on, OK, humm, he thinks to himself----- £30 a square yard---- 4840 square yards to an acre-------- hummm where is the calculator? Hummmm £30 X 4840 =£145200 an acre------GULP-------GASP--------HOW MUCH!!!!!!!??????? Good lord, there was a time not so long ago when you could have bought most of Inverness-shire for that!