‘Lady Brandy of Glencoe’

My new alter-ego is “Lady Brandy of Glencoe.” I also own a little piece of Scotland — my own personal estate. Really, I have the paperwork to prove it. As I write this, it’s 5 degrees Celsius or 41 degrees Fahrenheit at my estate in Scotland — balmy compared to Emporia’s current 16-degree temperature.

I should probably explain how I became “Lady Brandy of Glencoe” and a landowner in Scotland. For Christmas I received a really unique gift — paperwork from Highland Titles in Scotland. Highland Titles informed me I own a one-square-foot piece of land in Scotland — and it entitles me to take on the title of “Lady.” There’s even official paperwork allowing me to change my name and all accounts associated with me to Lady Brandy.

“‘Laird’ is a descriptive title traditionally afforded to Scottish landowners or, more commonly, by those living and working on the estate. Laird is a Scottish word and is simply the Scottish form of the English ‘Lord.’ The female equivalent is ‘Lady,'” the Highland Title website stated. “When you buy land from Highland Titles, you will become the beneficial owner of the plot of land that you selected. Whilst all people are free to refer to themselves as Lairds, it is only those who own land in Scotland that have a genuine reason to do so.” Highland Titles is actually a nature reserve in Scotland. My little plot of land is surrounded by lush greenery and Scottish wildlife. “The land we sell is managed as a nature reserve, so when you buy land from Highland Titles you help to improve and conserve the beautiful Scottish Highlands,” their website states. “The Highland Titles Nature Reserve at Glencoe Wood, Duror, is now an established visitor attraction with thousands of landowners visiting their plots every year.”

As a nature-lover, this gift is perfect for me. I love to spend time in nature, surrounded by chirping birds, other animals and plants. For me there is nothing quite like standing among towering trees or on top of a hill surrounding by open sky in the Flint Hills. Nature helps me find my center, my balance and helps me connect to something bigger than myself. It gives me a sense of freedom I can’t get when sitting behind a desk or in front of a television.

Nature is sacred to me. I’m happiest when I’m outside, looking at the beauty around me — nature can even be found in the middle of a big city in the form of a pigeon or another animal if one takes the time to slow down and notice.

Those who are my Facebook friend or follow me on Instagram will attest to how many photos I take of scenery — or pretty much anything I come across that makes me smile or makes me look twice. I love to share my joy and the beauty around me with others. (Shameless plug alert: feel free to follow me on Instagram. My username is autumnpath — autumn is one of my favorite seasons thus the username.)

So today I’m daydreaming. My personal dashboard on Highland Title app tells me it’s 5,920 km or 3678.52 miles to my estate. Someday I hope to visit it — my little plot of Scotland paradise. The organization does offer guided tours and they’ll even take you to your exact plot on a 4X4 — something that is now on my bucket list. I’m very proud and honored to have been gifted the opportunity to be a part of something bigger — preserving a beautiful piece of Earth in Scotland.