Scottish Barony Register custodian to hand over duties

Alastair Shepherd is to succeed Alastair Rennie as custodian of the Scottish Barony Register from 1 December 2020.

The register is a private venture set up on the abolition of the feudal system in 2004, to provide a means to continue to record ownership of the dignities of feudal baronies, and transfers of such rights. Certification from the custodian is accepted by the Lord Lyon as evidence of title in dealing with a petition for arms based on ownership of a named baronial dignity.

It is believed that every transfer of a dignity occurring since the register was set up has led to an application to register the acquirer’s claim of entitlement in the register. The register currently contains details of transfer of 170 different dignities, some of which have been transferred more than once.

Mr Rennie, a former Deputy Keeper of the Registers of Scotland, was the first custodian but has now decided it is time to pass on the duties. The directors of the register, established as a company limited by guarantee, have chosen as his successor Mr Shepherd, a partner in Coulters who is due to retire in April 2021 after 40 years in private practice and who has long experience with the sale and purchase of barony titles.

From 1 December 2020 he can be contacted at 1 Monkrigg Steading, Haddington, EH41 4LB or custodian@scottishbaronyregister.org. A new website is being set up at www.scottishbaronyregister.org, where in due course all appropriate forms and a note of fees charged will be published. 

Mr Shepherd does not intend to make any immediate changes to the way in which the register operates.