FAQs

I want this to be a surprise gift – how do I ensure that?
If the purchase is to be for another person, please ensure the name on the shipping details is that person’s name. Then, if you would like the package shipped to yourself, include your own address as shipping address, otherwise use the recipient’s address and we will send the pack out to them with a card in it saying something like, “This package has been prepared for you on behalf of purchaser’s name“. If you have a specific message your require to be used or if you have further instructions, please email us or use our contact form — we will do our utmost to accommodate you!

I don’t want to join Paypal.
We thoroughly understand this. However, Paypal now offer a creditcard payment service, where you do not have to join their service. Simply click on the ‘Continue‘ link or you can now make an OFFLINE PURCHASE. Simply fill out the form and send off, we’ll then contact you and get all the necessary details from you. You can even phone us on +44 (0) 1369 820 115 – ask for Charles.

How do you know who to make the deeds out to?
Once we receive your payment via paypal we contact you asking for the name or names to be put on the deed(s), a delivery address and any other pertinent details (like who’s birthday it is etc.). Once we have these we send out your package directly.

How much of the purchase price goes into the restoration of Dunans?
This depends very much on the package you buy. We aim to ensure that over time 50% of the money raised from the purchases of lairdships are used on the building itself, and smaller percentages on the grounds and bridge to ensure access.

What will I own?
One square foot of ground in pasture set at the back of Dunans Castle. Access to this square foot of pasture can only be by foot and will be otherwise free and unrestricted. Your parcel of land will be identified by an ID number in your Deed of Entitlement and will be marked on a plan of the area derived from the deeds of Dunans Castle. For a more thorough-going treatment of this, please view our terms and conditions.

Can I Call Myself Lord?
Lord and Laird are, in the strictest semiological sense, words referring to the same type of person, ie. a Landowner. Therefore the sites which say you can call yourself a Lord are correct. It is perfectly legal to refer to yourself as Lord of Dunans Castle, however the title would carry no legal status in a court of law (and this is true of any titles of this particular type). To become a Lord in the sense recognised by the Court of the Lord Lyons (wherein the title has devolved directly from the Queen) you would need to be of the right pedigree or be recognised for services to the crown (such as a senior British politician).

One other route remains to my knowledge and that is the purchase of an English baronial title. These sometimes come up and are generally in the form of “Lord or Lady of the Manor of XXXX” and cost several thousand pounds at auction or similar.

Being by no means experts in this, we’d encourage comments by those more knowledgeable.

30 thoughts on “FAQs”

  1. I’m currently filling one of your order forms out.. What is an “affiliate Laird/lady” and how does that differ from the name I’m putting on the deed? (I’m buying this for my mother, Sandy Linderman) Should I just put that name in the “Name of Laird and/or Lady” slot and leave the other blank?

    thanks,
    Steve

  2. Hi Steven, Thanks for getting in touch — Ignore the affiliate laird box. This is for those who wish to promote the restoration of Dunans Castle via the lairdship scheme. Kind regards, Charles

  4. How do I order stationery and business cards please?
    My plot number is – LAIRDN9EV3

  6. By their nature these titles are decorative and cannot be used on statutory ID. However, we have had reports of Lairds and Ladies using their titles on such things as bank accounts, but of course this is down to bank policy rather than anything else. Hope that helps!

  7. When you fill in the form one field says “Occasion”. For what purpose do I have to fill this in?

  8. I have previously bought my gran a lairdship from locharber and I want to buy her one of yours… can she own both titles or only one?

  9. My partner and I are from Canada. We are in a “gay” relationship! Can we buy side-by-side plots of land under the catagorie “couples”???? Do you have stationery, etc., letter-heading, Lord….and Lord….????

  10. Will I be the normal owner of my square foot of land and might this impose any future costs for me such as costs for maintenance, taxes, fees etc?

  11. Hi, I’m buying this to my roomie for his birthday, do i have to put his name on the shipping details?
    The chance of him opening it if I do is a big problem!
    Is it enough if i write his name on the “name of lord/lady”?
    Thank you!!

  12. Hi Laura, You can dictate where you wish the package to be delivered. And let me know via the additional notes any special requirements. Hope that helps. Kind regards, Charles

  13. I just wanted to know if there was a limit on the amount of plots you can buy under one person or family.

  16. Hi,
    I was wondering if you have any plans on starting to sell pins, kufflinks etc specific for the Dunans castle?

  18. My wife, Ann, was given a birthday gift of the title of Lady of Dunans Castle at the special event of her half century (but I won’t say how old she is ;^} ). Those who ask who conferred the honour I explain that it is Dunans Castle Charitable Trust (I hope I’m not in error here.) I have noticed in researching about Scottish titles that the eldest daughter of a Scottish Lady is referred to as a ‘Maid’ (thoughts of the English Maid Marian come to mind.) Is it true that Ann’s eldest daughter can now use the title of ‘Maid Sarah of Dunans Castle’ without causing any problems with Dunans Castle Charitable Trust?

  19. How far from a driveable road are the plots? What happens to the title & access if the Castle/your business ceases to trade?

  20. Hi Di,

    Thanks for your query! The plots are visible from Dunans Bridge, which leads to the castle! As for title and access if Sadie and I move on, we have set up a charitable trust which will take over the management of the plots and access, so you will always be able to visit the site!

    kind regards,

    Charles

  21. Hi David,

    Thanks for your email. Have to be honest and say that I haven’t come across this form. It seems to me to be appropriate, and I am sure DCT wouldn’t mind. Of course we’d prefer it if the honourable Maid Sarah became a Lady of Dunans Castle herself ;-) Each Laird or Lady contributes to the restoration project, and that is of course what we are focussed on. Hope that answers your query!

    Kind regards,

    Charles

  23. Hi Maria,

    We do indeed, and this year they should start appearing on the Lairds and Ladies site!

    Kind regards,

    Charles

  24. Hi Heather,

    We have no limit for a person purchasing a series of plots, and we do have a family package which includes upto seven plots.

    Kind regards,

    Charles

  26. Hi Alec,

    We’d be delighted to have a Lord and Lord. When it comes to stationery, let us know and we will produce it for you!

    Kind regards,

    Charles

  27. Hi Martina,

    The idea is that if you are making a gift of a package for an occasion (wedding, birthday or Christmas for example) we like to know so that we can include a greeting card from ourselves to the new Laird and/or Lady — its all part of getting to know everyone!

    Kind regards,

    Charles

  29. Can your title and land be passed down or willed to your kin after you have passed away ?

  30. Hi Cameron, Yes, it can! In fact we positively encourage it. Although we do encourage families to all become Lairds and Ladies! Best Charles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You may use these HTML tags and attributes: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <strike> <strong>