Metal Detectorist
Metal detectorists must have the landowner’s permission prior to any metal detecting activities. The tenant is not the landowner. Large landowning bodies including the National Trust for Scotland and the Crown Estates (with the exception of the foreshore ) do not permit any metal detecting on their land. Shetland Islands Council and the RSPB do not allow metal detecting on land they own or manage, other than under specific agreed circumstances.
Metal detecting on known archaeological monuments is not permitted. To clarify whether an area has any recorded monuments please consult the Historic Environment Record.
Metal detecting on or within 20 metres of a scheduled monument is a criminal offence as set out in the Ancient Monuments & Archaeological Areas Act 1979. Further information is available from Historic Environment Scotland.
The Scottish Partnership Against Rural Crime have produced an information leaflet which includes a quick guide to metal detecting in Scotland with useful important information for landowners and detectorists.
Please also refer to information about Treasure Trove.