Is it true that a Scottish Baron is an "official titled nobility in the United Kingdom"?

Question

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scottish_feudal_barony "The Scottish Baron is the lowest official titled nobility in the United Kingdom." I thought it was similar to an English title of Lord of the Manor which of course is not a title of nobility.

I know Scots law and English law differ even though both countries form part of the UK. Thanks.

Answer 1

Yes, Scottish law is different, and so is Scottish nobiliary custom. In England, society was traditionally divided into 'nobility + gentry + everyone else'; but in Scotland, is in much of Continental Europe society was traditionally divided simply into 'nobility + everyone else'. Thus, people with coats of arms, who would in England count as 'gentry', in Scotland were considered 'minor nobility'. Hence, in part, the discrepancy.



However, it is true that a Scottish barony, if properly held and recognised by the Lord Lyon, does *probably* count as a title of honour, whereas an English manorial lordship certainly does not. Kevin Boone's article at the link describes the situation pretty well.

Answer 2

Scottish law is very different to English law as you know

A Scottish feudal barony or prescriptive barony used to be attached to a particular piece of land on which is the "caput" ( 'head'), or the essence of the barony, normally a building, such as a castle or manor house. The owner of the piece of land was the Baron or Baroness.



The Court of the Lord Lyon( Scotland) recognises a person possessing the dignity of baron under certain conditions,this being the status of a minor baron, a title of non-peerage rank.



A bought title holds no office and no recognition and you would need to check with the Lord Lyon exactly what any bought title means as in Scottish laws they are actively protective about use/miss use of 'titles'..............

http://www.lyon-court.com/lordlyon/CCC_FirstPage.jsp

Answer 3

My understanding is that the Scottish baron is a nobility title granted by Lord Lyon under the authority of the crown. Under scottish law the the feudal baron is considered a non-peerage baron that ranks below Lord Parliament. On the continent they are consider peers and equal to European barons. They fall under the correct order of precedence on the continent and would be placed before a baronet/knight at events since the baronet is only a recognized UK title.

Answer 4

Scottish Barony

Answer 5

Feudal Baron

Answer 6

The 'titles' mean nothing, you certainly can't use them in the UK, hundreds of titles were removed from the peerage a few years ago , they are no longer valid..