h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

How do I go about claiming a piece of land in scotland?

Do you actually own any land in Scotland, if so, you should have the deeds that go with that land.

Or is it like my square foot of Islay, for which Laphroaig have to pay me a dram ground rent any time I turn up there?

You too? I've often wondered just how many people do own a square foot of Islay

Now where did I put my title deed for that acre of moon?

It's a ruin I wanted to repair but nobody seems to know who owns it.- not even the land registry search people could help. So how can I proceed?

You could always try adverse possession - squat the land for twelve (or is it eight - I've forgotten all my land law) years in an obvious manner, if no-one evicts you, the land is yours.

Actually I'm not sure that Scottish law has the concept of adverse possession.

Have you tried the local council?

sprout

If your name's MacDonald, and you're old, I believe you're entitled to a farm...

B