Police Submit report on RCI offences to COPFS
NORTH GLEN ESTATE LTD
On 6 May 2025, I published a blog highlighting the fact that the owner of North Glenbuchat Estate, North Glen Estate Ltd., an overseas entity registered in the Turks and Caicos Islands, had failed to register as a recorded person in the Register of Persons Holding a Controlled Interests in Land (RCI). Failure to do so by 1 April 2024 is an offence under paragraph 10(10) of the regulations and is liable to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale (currently £5000).
I reported this alleged offence to Police Scotland on 7 May 2025.
I published further blogs on the topic on 13 May 2025, and in July 2025, as well as a guest blog by Alan Brown on a related offence by the landowner of Criganour Estate in Perthshire
It has taken some time to progress this matter but I am pleased to say that on 23 February 2026 I received the following email from Police Scotland in Ballater.
North Glen Estates Ltd.
Good evening,
The above crime report is now detected with an accused being reported to COPFS for a failure to comply with the legislation in relation to the above entity.
For the record North Glen Estates Limited is now compliant with the legislation as of 30/01/2026 with public viewing being available from 01/03/2026.
The email refers to North Glen Estates Ltd (plural). In previous blogs I noted that this was a UK company associated with North Glenbuchat Estate but that North Glenbuchat Estate Ltd (singular) was the owner since that is what is recorded on the Title Sheet in the Land Register ABN79509. However, in light of what I report on below, the Land Register may be incorrect.
The fact that North Glen Estates Ltd. has now registered on the RCI does not change the fact that is failed to do so by the statutory date and failed to comply for almost two years.
The RCI declaration can be seen here.
The associates are persons who have the right to exercise, or actually exercise, significant influence or control over the recorded person’s dealings with the land.
They are the Medina Trust, Front Street Nominees Limited, Coriats Trust Company Limited, Sarah Spencer and David St John Stewart.
Front Street Nominees Ltd. is understood to be a company registered in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Coriats Trust Company is based in Turks and Caicos. The Medina Trust is understood to be based in Switzerland.
David St John Stewart is resident in Turks and Caicos and was the Director of North Glen Estates Loan Company Limited.
I had understood that David Louis Mountbatten, Earl of Medina controls the estate but if he does so then it is through one of these associated Turks and Caicos Island companies and he is not named as an associate.
However, the final associate, Lady Sarah Spencer, is the former spouse of David Mountbatten’s father, George Ivar Louis Mountbatten, the 3rd Marquess of Milford Haven who has associated with North Glenbuchat Estate in the past. She is now married to Michael Alan Spencer, Baron Spencer of Alresford.
The RCI does not tell us exactly what role these companies and Stewart and Spencer play in the affairs of North Glen Estates Ltd.
It is also interesting to note that North Glen Estates Ltd is also registered in the Register of Overseas Entities even though it is under no obligation to do so since it acquired the land before 8 December 2014 and the RoE (bizarrely) only requires overseas entities who acquired land in Scotland after this date to be registered.
CRAIGANOUR ESTATE
I also published a guest blog on 8 May 2025 by Alan Brown. When the RCI came into force, he attempted to find out whether the owner of Craiganour Estate in Perthshire, Astel Ltd., had registered as an overseas entity (it is incorporated in Jersey). It had not.
After making a complaint to Police Scotland and after much faffing about, the Police eventually dropped the case. Alan complained and, after investigation, the Police were ordered to continue to investigate the case. As a result, a report was submitted to COPFS in early February 2026.
Shortly after the publication of Alan’s guest blog, Astel Ltd registered with RCI. Its associates are also a complex set of offshore companies and a Canadian lawyer living in Bermuda.
COPFS
These two complaints are now with COPFS and they will have to decide whether to prosecute North Glen Estates Ltd and Astel Ltd. Their decision will be based on there being a sufficiency of evidence to secure a conviction and that it is in the public interest to do so.
The evidential threshold for this offence is straightforward, namely that an entity is within the scope of the RCI regulations and has failed to register by 1 April 2024. The question of the public interest is an interesting one and I await the COPFS decision on this matter.
Meanwhile, I have dozens of other offences under the RCI regulations to report and will proceed to do so.
Comments are open but if this case becomes active, then they will be closed.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
I presume the date in this sentence is incorrect, ‘I reported this alleged offence to Police Scotland on 7 May 2026.’
oops – thanks. corrected.
I am so pleased that you are working on this Andy, we need to know who owns our land. Thankyou.
Sterling work again Andy. Thanks!
Good work and makes you wonder, why create laws if they’re not going to implement them?
Sterling work Andy
Thank you for the work you do on behalf of the people of Scotland.
I am in agreement with all of the above…well done once again for Scotland Andy.
Fascinating to see all the’ hidden investors ‘ who own our land but interestingly don’t want to be named and shamed.
I’m glad your torch shines in all the dark corners of Scotland. You deserve a medal.
Lets see what COPFS do though – thats the next test.
An interesting point: why do these people want to hide? They seem to put a of effort into hiding and making their financial affairs complicated. It looks like a pre-emptive admission of guilt, before even addressing what they might be guilty of.
Sinner that I expect to be, Lord forgive me for sins I will probably commit….
I read somewhere that the most common (or a very common) reason for affairs being registered offshore is to try and avoid paying one’s fair share in divorce proceedings.I don’t think that is the case here though …
I have the very same question and I totally agree with your assumption. When will the government actually DO something to out these beneficial owners ! As an aside on this theme of mystery there is an estate advertised by CKD Galbraith in Aberdeenshire which has no details except some basic info , no name or exactly where it is. If you are interested you have to sign a non disclosure agreement ! Why oh why is there so much secrecy in land ownership? PS does anydody have any idea where is this 420 acre estate ?
Your efforts are much appreciated, Andy.
I echo Rosemary’s words above.
All strength to your elbow.
Many thanks.
Tremendous work Andy
Your work alone seems to me of more importance to Scotland than that of all those MSP s remaining in Holyrood on inflated salaries
I can only think you want to not be known as owner of an estate if trying to hide your wealth ,or anticipate there might be some a activity of which you don’t want your association known -but surely not ?
David St. John Stewart was admitted as an English solicitor in 1989 and as an Attorney in the Turks and Caicos Islands in 1990. He practiced law internationally from London between 1992 and 2014, including as Head of Commercial Litigation and later Managing Partner and CEO of an international law firm. Since returning to the Turks and Caicos in 2015, he has advised high-net-worth families and is active as a trustee in contentious trust matters.
Just read this. Is there a case for instances like this to be the target of Police major crimes units – 1000 acres seems pretty “major” to me.
I don’t think so. Failing to comply with a deadlien to register ina transparency register is an offence but its hardly a major crime.