Fake Scots Titles

[Sketraw]

But the above pales into insignificance when compared with the bogus major titles and pedigrees that some parade around with, who take advantage of peoples goodwill etc in a major way. These in my book are the major villains of this rather sad situation, particularly as threats of violence are bandied about.

You are correct Jock, however it is one of the few historic Scottish Titles left and some do misuse the Laird title by converting it to Lord for one thing and do use it for villainies purposes as well as self aggrandisement.

[Jock Scot]

You are correct Jock, however it is one of the few historic Scottish Titles left and some do misuse the Laird title by converting it to Lord for one thing and do use it for villainies purposes as well as self aggrandisement.

We are not going to disagree there. These sad fellows who are causing such upset with our traditions makes me glad to be a "Mr." and that is just dandy for me!

[Andrew M. Stewart]

Sorry, but in my opinion I dont see these peddlers of fake titles and their so called claims of land preservation of a bog in Caithness, for example, as a bit of FUN! To me it is degrading to Scotland and also devalues people with real Lairdships and other titles and makes it difficult for people to understand what is genuine and what is not.

If you purchased an item from a shop £29.95 and it didn't do what it said on the tin, you would have something to say, wouldn't you? Or, even worse, you bought something, thinking you owned it and found out in reality it wasent yours!

I don't know a lot about these scams but it seems a bit odd to me that because some North American bought a tiny price of dirt in the Highlands they think that they would actually get some sort of title with it! What about every common house owner in say Inverness? Would you think them all lairds and dukes as well?? Am I missing something here?

[Sketraw]

I don't know a lot about these scams but it seems a bit odd to me that because some North American bought a tiny price of dirt in the Highlands they think that they would actually get some sort of title with it! What about every common house owner in say Inverness? Would you think them all lairds and dukes as well?? Am I missing something here?

No you aren't missing the point at all, it is a ridiculous concept but people are dragged into it because the land is supposedly purchased is on a Scottish Estate already. Thing is a lot of the so called estates are even made up!!

Take a look at the first video here http://www.scots-titles.com/?page_id=169 to see the market they are aiming at, and if you want to have a sad laugh look at some of the rest. Again it makes Scotland and its people look like twats!!

[auld argonian]

I could easily see an organized effort to get people to buy one square foot of an area that was in need of preservation or conservation as a means of locking out bad development...that would be a good thing. It'd be a management nightmare if they didn't agree to cede all management decisions to a central committee or whatever, though.

Seriously, though, are there really people who are that out of it that they actually see any benefit to buying any kind of title? Obviously the locals wouldn't be fooled and would treat the "pretender" accordingly and if anybody outside of the loop on the true story ever found out that someone's title had been purchased they would certainly consider that person a pretentious SOB.

Best

AA

[Detroitpete]

Seems that esse quam videri is a lost concept to some.

[Detroitpete]

I live in a country with no royal aristocracy--No Lords, Ladies, Dukes, Viscounts ad inifinitum. And aside from fraternal and/or religious organizations, very few (thankfully, in my mind) Knights. I cannot for the life of me imagine why someone would want to call themselves something they aren't.

[Mike M.]

Ah, but what of the famed Kentucky Colonelcies?

[madmacs]

Well just to add my 2c... which probably isnt even worth that much...

If I misrepresent myself as an engineer... doctor... land surveyor... lawyer... etc etc etc... then i'm doing something wrong...

Whether it is a misrepresentation by the seller or not, for the individual to assume something because it was sold to them doesnt remove THEIR obligation to do their due diligence... would they consider walking round calling themselves Chief of Police, Mayor, senator, congressman, or any number of other titles? No, because they KNOW it to be incorrect.

In many cases I suspect that most of the people using a title know it didnt come for $30... and as for the Laird/Lord thing... until recently a Lord was allowed to sit in the House of Lords... that would have meant someone claiming not only to be a Lord, but also a polititian in the UK ( and before anyone says anything... i know the law was changed).

[EagleJCS]

Ah, but what of the famed Kentucky Colonelcies?

Living in the Commonwealth and actually knowing a few KY Colonels personally, I need to comment on this: Except for Harlan Sanders*, I haven't heard of anyone in recent years making use of their Honorable Kentucky Colonel title to promote themselves as something they're not. (A Kentucky Colonel is commissioned by the Governor, is an honorary status, has no official military or civil duties, and carries no pay or other entitlements.) I'm sure if someone were to misuse their commission in some way, the certificate could be revoked.


* Col. Harlan Sanders was from a different day and age and people were more 'forgiving' of the percieved use of the title. Folks (both the recipients and the general public) understood it to be honorary and generally didn't try to get something out of it that they weren't entitled to.