A CHARITY established to help protect the Scottish wildcat has been criticised over a fundraising drive selling “souvenir plots of land”, writes Andrew Learmonth.
Launched earlier this week, the chance to “save a wildcat and become a laird or lady” featured extensively in the media, including The National.
On their website, Wildcat Haven offer donors the “the chance to buy a plot of land in Scotland for just £30”. Those wishing to help the charity can buy four different types of gift-pack, the most expensive coming in at £250. Each pack, its website claims, includes a “1sq foot plot of land”.
On the buy-a-gift-pack page Wildcat Haven write: “Help us expand Wildcat Haven. Supporters obtain a personal right to a souvenir plot of land in Wildernesse Wood and may change John Smith to Lord John Smith of Wildernesse by using documentation we provide.”
However, people buying the gift packs are warned that they will not actually become the registered owner of the land or be able to use the title Lord.
Land campaigner Andy Wightman told the National: “People who buy souvenir plots of land from Wildcat Haven are not the owners of the land under Scots Law. What they’re buying are some bits of paper with some illustrations on them and the alleged right to be called the Lord or Lady of Wildernesse Wood.”
Wightman continued: “My concerns is that ordinary members of the public who buy this could reasonably conclude that they actually own this plot because those claims are made despite the fact there is extensive text to suggest you would not.”
The charity is sponsored by Highland Titles, a company based in Alderney, wholly owned by a charitable trust registered in Guernsey, which was embroiled in controversy earlier this year over the selling of titles. The Advertising Standards Agency upheld a complaint that the Highland Titles website was “ambiguous and likely to mislead” over links between purchasing of the land and “the attainment of the titles Lord, Lady or Laird”.
In a comment on the Wildcat Haven press release sent out to media, Highland Titles chairman Peter Bevis said: “The important thing is that now all those square feet will add up to reserves and the resources to save the wildcat, driving fieldwork like feral cat neutering. Our supporters have always recognised that their purchase has value far beyond simply owning a small piece of Scotland. People like to buy gifts that do some good, and I can’t think of a better cause.”
In a statement, the charity said: “Our website repeatedly states that the plots being sold are souvenir plots and ‘a bit of fun’. Our own FAQ outlines that registration of souvenir plots is legally impossible.”
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