Legal

What is a souvenir plot of land?

The Land Registration (Scotland) Act 1979 recognised the concept of a ‘souvenir plot’ 45 years ago.  A souvenir plot was defined as “a piece of land which, being of inconsiderable size or no practical utility, is unlikely to be wanted in isolation except for the sake of mere ownership or for sentimental reasons or commemorative purposes.”

More recently, the Land Registration etc. (Scotland) Act 2012 refined the definition of a souvenir plot as one which is “of inconsiderable size and of no practical utility, and is neither (i) a registered plot, nor (ii) a plot the ownership of which has, at any time, separately been constituted or transferred by a document recorded in the Register of Sasines.”

Opinion of Legal Counsel, David Thomson KC, on souvenir plots of land

We sought counsel from David Thomson KC, on whether the sale of souvenir plots creates a valid legal right in Scots law. In his written opinion, senior counsel confirmed that provided certain conditions are met, the sale of a souvenir plot creates a personal right which is a valid legal right in Scots Law.

We would like to make it clear that when you buy a Named Estate, you will obtain a personal right of ownership to your souvenir plot of land.  This is a valid form of ownership, but we will remain as the registered landowner.  This allows us to manage the land on your behalf.

You will not be able to build on or otherwise develop your plot, which forms part of a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and is also a RAMSAR site, meaning it is a wetland area of international importance, designated under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands to promote the conservation and sustainable use of these vital ecosystems

Your plot will be identified using latitude and longitude coordinates of the centre point of your plot.