Established Titles
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Real estate, Novelty gifts |
| Founded | 2019 |
| Headquarters | Hong Kong , Hong Kong |
Key people | Katerina Yip (CEO) |
| Products | Souvenir plots of Scottish land |
| Owner | Galton Voysey Ltd |
| Website | establishedtitles |
Established Titles operates as a business offering souvenir plots of Scottish territory, with sizes varying between 1 sq ft (0.09 m2) and 20 sq ft (1.86 m2). The legal ownership of these lands remains with the company itself. While it promotes the notion that purchasers can assume titles such as Lord, Laird, or Lady following a "traditional Scottish custom," these miniature plots are too diminutive to be officially registered, and buyers do not gain legitimate entitlement to such titles. Established Titles holds property in regions including Ardallie, Aberdeenshire,[1] Dunfermline, Dumfries, Galloway, and the Scottish Borders.[2] Controversy arose after YouTuber Scott Shafer released a video accusing the company of fraudulent practices, prompting numerous content creators to terminate sponsorship agreements with Established Titles.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
Operations
Under the leadership of CEO Katerina Yip,[1] Established Titles has been subject to an inquiry by the Advertising Standards Authority amid concerns regarding its advertising methods.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name The firm has encountered backlash for its assertive promotional strategies, especially its engagement of YouTubers for marketing campaigns.[2] Ownership of Established Titles lies with Galton Voysey Ltd, an investment company based in Hong Kong.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
Controversy
On 23 November 2022, Scott Shafer, a YouTube personality, accused Established Titles of deceiving customers by selling land parcels without legally transferring ownership rights, urging fellow creators to withdraw sponsorships. Following the widespread attention from this video, influencers such as Philip DeFranco and SomeOrdinaryGamers ended their collaborations with the company. Established Titles refuted these allegations as "completely unfounded," emphasizing their commitment to transparency. Nonetheless, several other creators expressed agreement with Shafer’s critique.
From a legal standpoint, ownership of these plots is not transferred to buyers. The Court of the Lord Lyon clarified that possession of a souvenir plot does not confer entitlement to titles like ‘laird’, ‘lord’, or ‘lady’. It explained that “laird” denotes proprietors of extensive estates rather than small parcels, and that official titles such as lord or lady require formal letters patent granted by the Sovereign. Additionally, under the Land Registration etc. (Scotland) Act 2012, souvenir plots—characterized as small and lacking practical use—are excluded from registration within Scotland.
Established Titles markets these plots as "a fun gift, meant for a good laugh," asserting that customers are aware of this intent; however, NBC News reported that some purchasers believed they were acquiring actual land ownership.