Editing Mohamed Al-Fayed (section)

===Scotland real estate===
In 1972 Fayed purchased the Balnagown estate in [[Easter Ross]] in northern Scotland. From an initial {{convert|4.8|ha|acre|abbr=off}}, Al-Fayed went on to build the estate up to {{convert|26300|ha|acre|abbr=off}}.<ref name="highland-jetset">{{cite news |date=4 July 2005 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/alfayed-to-fill-highland-estate-with-jetset-homes-497551.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120906054019/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/alfayed-to-fill-highland-estate-with-jetset-homes-497551.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=6 September 2012 |title=Al-Fayed to fill Highland estate with jet-set homes |newspaper=[[The Independent]] |location=London |first=Paul |last=Kelbie |url-access=registration}}</ref> He invested more than £20&nbsp;million in the estate, restored the 14th-century pink [[Balnagown Castle]], and created a tourist accommodation business.<ref name="highland-jetset"/> The Highlands of Scotland tourist board awarded Al-Fayed the Freedom of the [[Scottish Highlands]] in 2002, in recognition of his "efforts to promote the area".<ref>{{cite web |title=Highlands freedom for al-Fayed |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/2536895.stm |work=BBC News|access-date=3 September 2023|date=3 December 2002|archive-date=5 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231005154117/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/2536895.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>

As an Egyptian with links to Scotland, Al-Fayed funded a 2008 reprint of the 15th-century chronicle ''[[Scotichronicon]]'' by [[Walter Bower]]. The ''Scotichronicon'' describes how [[Scota]], a daughter of an Egyptian Pharaoh, fled her family and landed in Scotland, bringing with her the [[Stone of Scone]]. According to the chronicle, Scotland was later named in her honour. The tale is disputed by modern historians.<ref name="fayed-princess">{{Cite news |date=19 May 2008 |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/article3965279.ece |title=Al Fayed, a Princess and another theory the establishment denies |newspaper=[[The Times]] |location=London |first=Mike |last=Wade |access-date=28 March 2012 |archive-date=8 October 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081008020025/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/article3965279.ece |url-status=dead }}</ref> Al-Fayed later declared that "The Scots are originally Egyptians and that's the truth."<ref name="make-ruler">{{Cite news |date=25 October 2009 |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/scotland/article6889088.ece |title=Forget Salmond: Make me your ruler |newspaper=[[The Times]] |location=London |first=Marc |last=Horne |url-access=subscription |access-date=28 March 2012 |archive-date=13 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110813144904/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/scotland/article6889088.ece |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In 2009 Al-Fayed revealed that he was a supporter of [[Scottish independence]] from the United Kingdom, announcing to the Scots that "It's time for you to waken up and detach yourselves from the English and their terrible politicians...whatever help is needed for Scotland to regain its independence, I will provide it...when you Scots regain your freedom, I am ready to be your president."<ref name="make-ruler"/>