Prince of Pop? No, Liam is Laird of the Glen
HE is adored by millions of young fans, regularly tops the music charts and is worth more than £25million.
However, One Direction star Liam Payne is not content with being a ‘mere’ prince of pop, and has secured himself a posher title.
In a television interview, the 22-yearold chart-topper disclosed that he owns a small plot of the Highlands, and is technically a laird.
In fact, he has been a titled gent for more than a year, as the plot was a gift
‘I’ve got a little bit of land in Scotland’
for his 21st birthday last August. Stumped at what to get her multi-millionaire brother, Liam’s older sister Ruth bought him 1sq ft of Keil Hill estate, in Glencoe Wood, Argyll. The plot is on a nature reserve at Duror.
Liam said: ‘I am a Lord. I have got a little bit of land in Scotland and that makes me a Lord.’
In the interview, Liam, 22, also laid down the law with bandmate Louis Tomlinson, 23, insisting he refer to him as ‘Your Lordship’.
Unlike some of his other acquisitions – which include a £2million flat at Canary Wharf in London’s Docklands, the price of Liam’s plot from Highland Titles was a mere £29.99. As landowner he has a deed certificate as proof of ownership, which he was proud to share with fans on Instagram with the caption: ‘It’s official. I’m Lord Payno.’
Keil Hill estate is mainly woodland, a habitat for red squirrels and deer. Lords can pay extra to plant a tree on their plot, as Liam has done.
The protective landowner told Louis: ‘If you came on there [my land] I would go to battle – we would joust.’
Lord Payno is not the first X Factor star to secure a chunk of Scottish soil. For Cheryl Fernandez-Versini’s 30th in 2013, music mogul Simon Cowell bought her a tiny plot at Bandrum estate, near Dunfermline, Fife, for £19.95.
The singer tweeted: ‘Simon-Cowell, I will now be referred to as Lady Cheryl when you address me in person and through the media.’
Highland Titles said the sales of souvenir plots were helping fund the protection of native woodlands.
Liam’s representatives did not respond yesterday to requests for a comment from the ‘laird’.