Alastair Shepherd

The register came into being some 20 years ago, when feudal law was largely abolished in Scotland on 28 November 2004, “the Appointed Day”. Mr Shepherd has now run the register for four of those 20 years.

The register exists to record assignations of the feudal dignity of baron, as after the Appointed Day these could no longer be recorded in the Sasine or Land Registers.

In his report, Mr Shepherd mentions that some 11 of the 13 registrations this year are new to the register. Two of the new registrations related to the sale and purchase of a Scottish country estate, the agents involved in both sales realising that the existence of a barony title considerably enhanced the value of the estate.

Mr Shepherd also came across an interesting feudal survivor this year.

He said: “This is the first time the register has been asked to record an hereditary sheriffdom. Prior to 1745, the office of sheriff was passed down from father to son in just a few aristocratic families.

“The sheriff would generally appoint a depute to actually administer justice. I did find it quite amusing that the family concerned had passed this ancient office down to future generations, perhaps in case the government decided to amend the 1746 decision.”

The register now holds records for 201 barony titles.