THE IDEAL opportunity for anyone who feels they have been passed over by the honours system is being offered at an auction in London next month.

Among the ancient titles for sale is the feudal barony of Glendochart in Breadalbane, Perthshire, which carries a £25,000 price tag.

Not only will the purchaser have the right to be called Baron of Glendochart, they will be able to apply to the College of Arms for a personal coat of arms.

Apart from the instant improvement in their social standing the new baron will acquire land, fishing rights on the River Dochart, sporting and shooting rights, and ownership of trees in the area.

The barony was historically part of the earldom and estates of Breadalbane and was closely associated with the Campbell clan.

The Perthshire title is one of five feudal baronies and 33 lordships of the manor to be offered by Strutt and Parker at its sale in the Ironmonger’s Hall, Barbican, London, on May 24.

Successful bidders will in all cases secure ownership of the title and many will also receive the collection of ancient documents, history and the rights that go with the title.

There are limits to what a purchaser of the titles can call themselves, said Stephen Hawes of Strutt and Parker. “In modern times a manorial lordship confers few but sometimes very valuable rights and privileges and the holder may legally call himself Lord of the Manor of X.

“The title is not a peerage, thus the holder should not call himself Lord X and by law the crucial ‘of’ should always be retained,” he added.

One title originally included in the sale, the feudal barony of Ascog on the Isle of Bute, was withdrawn after claims that the barony was already owned by someone else.

“It takes time for a full range of good-quality titles to come to the market, which is why it is over three years since our last auction,” Mr Hawes said.