Metal Detecting in Scotland by Colin (toddy) Irvine

I remember the days well! My brother and I out with our first metal detector. It was a budget detector my mother had bought our father for his birthday. We dreamed of finding hoards of gold coins and treasure chests! That was eighteen years ago and I am still looking! I have redefined my views on treasure as most persevering in this hobby will through time and dedication. Through this hobby I have gone from someone who had no interest in history to someone who constantly reads about our Nations history. I also love just being out in the country or on a beach metal detecting. I also have kids of my own who through my love of metal detecting have gained an interest in this hobby, archaeology and history.

The hobby of metal detecting is world wide. There are countries that do not allow metal detecting at all. We in the United Kingdom are fortunate to be allowed to practice our hobby whether it be the twice a year detectorist or any possible given time detectorist! I fall into the last category. There are different types of metal detecting like Land, Beach, Underwater and Gold nugget hunting. The two most popular in the UK are Land & Beach detecting I have made mistakes over the years in this hobby and hopefully by the time you have read this you will be more aware of what types of objects you should expect to find in Scotland. The hobby has grown more popular since I started and the advent of programs like Time team, Two men in a Trench and Hidden Treasures have put metal detecting in the public eye. It has also shown people that they too can not only read about the past but actually touch it and contribute to our nations heritage. Over the years I have found objects from Bronze age, Roman, Medieval to modern times. These are the type of finds, if you are dedicated enough or lucky enough, you can expect to unearth in Scotland on land. Let me explain dedicated. To be successful you have to put a lot of work into researching the potential area you would like to search. You can do this by spending a lot of time

reading about your potential area. Find out everything you possibly can about it. You can also research on the Internet. My best advice is to join a online Forum There you will find links and advice on what is available to help you research your site.

Once you have found the area you want to search you have to make sure that it is not scheduled, by this I mean under the protection of the Ancient monuments Act. You can find out if your area is protected by registering here www.rcahms.gov.uk . If your area is protected then choose an area that is not protected. Once you have pinpointed your area and if it's Farmland, Park or Estate you will need to gain permission!! Yes that's right - all land is owned by someone. If it's a farm, then visit the farmer and tell him of your research and what you have found out about his area. He might already know or he might not. ASK his permission to search his land DON'T demand it! If he refuses leave with a smile and thank him for his time. Most beaches are OK to search but some are protected as nature reserves for wildlife. Now you have found an area HOW are you going to find stuff? what detector do I choose? This is where your local metal detecting shop will be invaluable. My advice is to decide on a budget that you can afford. Metal detectors can be as complicated and as simple as you want them. I started with one at £15.00 second hand and to tell you the truth it was JUNK! Most manufacturers make models from £100 mark upwards. There are also cheaper models available that will get you started if you are not sure if your going to stick the hobby. Now you will need to ask yourself do you want to search land or beach or both? The reason I mention this without going into the technical side is some detectors work best on land and some are designed for the beach. Most manufacturers make an all round detector that will operate no problem on both. For a local Scottish dealer - http://www.northernmetaldetectors.co.uk/

Hopefully you are now kitted out with your first metal detector and all the kit you will need. You will have purchased a beginners guide to metal detecting These books are invaluable in telling you the best method of retrieving finds i.e.; leaving the land as you found it and not like the surface of the moon with holes!! You are on your site and are full of enthusiasm you haven't slept all night dreaming of the finds you are going to make!! You go to your farm in the morning and you start getting finds but what are these bits of stuff you are finding?? DO NOT throw anything away when you start out in this hobby. It might not look like treasure to you but to an archaeologist it could be treasure! yes you have a responsibility now as you are retrieving our national heritage you are it's guardian only. The find you have unearthed belongs not to you the land owner but to the Crown. You can find out all about the Treasure Trove laws in Scotland here www.treasuretrove.org.uk. My advice to you is to take all you finds into your local museum apart from tin cans, ring pulls or send them to Edinburgh until you are familiar with what you are finding. If the TT department keep a find and it is claimed treasure you will receive the current market value as a reward. If it's not treasure you will get it back but your not doing this for MONEY RIGHT!! it is the joy of finding and touching the past that drives me on. Scotland is rich in history and if you persevere and put the effort in you will be rewarded with some nice collectables. You will also, I guarantee, be putting stuff in museum display cases. If you meet another detectorist on a site that you have permission - have a chat to him/her as they have probably done the same research as you to find the site and you might learn something. I hope I have explained the basic starting guide to the hobby of metal detecting in Scotland. The

hobby does entail a bit more work than just walking out and finding Gold coins! so hopefully I haven't put you off. There are some local clubs in Scotland and it is a good idea to meet other like minded folk. The forum I mentioned above is a great place to find out info. It is adults only. Happy hunting Colin (Toddy) Irvine

Scottish (scottish crown) silver royalist medal of Charles II - the only one known in existance found by Colin Irvine