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METALDETECTING PORTAL
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 Metal Detecting Yes or No? |
posted by support on 19 Nov : 10:50 |
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Metal detecting, scheduled monuments
and the law
Many people in Scotland own and use metal detectors – as individuals, as
part of clubs and as members of archaeological projects. This leaflet is for
landowners, occupiers and managers of archaeological sites and monuments as
well as detectorists, including those using metal detectors for work purposes.
Its aim is to set out the position in non-legal terms and to encourage the
co-operation of everyone to ensure that we protect archaeological sites and
monuments.
Detectorists working with archaeologists at Culloden battlefield. В©The National Trust for Scotland/Jill Harden.
Legislation
When does the law not permit metal detecting?
It is a criminal offence (under section 42 of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979) to use a metal detector on a scheduled monument or a monument in the ownership or guardianship of Scottish Ministers, or of a local authority, without prior written permission from Scottish Ministers. (A scheduled monument is a monument of national importance that Scottish Ministers have given legal protection under the 1979 Act.) Scottish Ministers may give permission to use a metal detector within a protected area with or without conditions. It is an offence to fail to comply with any of the conditions attached to consent. It is also an offence to remove any object of archaeological or historical interest from such a monument found using a detector. There have been successful prosecutions in Scotland for illegal use of metal detectors.
Advice to landowners, occupiers and managers
What should I do if detectorists ask to work on a scheduled monument?
Responsible detectorists will always seek the permission of landowners before working on their land (this includes the foreshore), and will avoid legally protected sites or activities that could damage sensitive places. Inform them of the land’s legal protection and refer them to Historic Scotland. If they ignore you, or simply start work without seeking permission, and you think they are on a scheduled area, call the police or contact Historic Scotland. If you are happy to allow detectorists to work near a scheduled monument, be sure that you and they know the exact limits of the protected area on the ground. If you permit work that damages a scheduled monument, this may be an offence. Copies of scheduling documents and maps are available for download from the PASTMAP website ; see also Historic Scotland’s
website . If you are ever in any doubt about whether an area of land is scheduled or where the boundaries of the protected area are, contact Historic Scotland for advice. Can I refuse access even if my land contains no scheduled monuments?
If you are in receipt of any grants through the Scotland Rural Development Programme, or earlier agri-environment schemes, check the terms of the schemes because they may contain a condition that does not permit metal detecting on any ancient monument, scheduled or not. Otherwise, it is up to
you to decide.
If you do decide to allow metal detecting on unscheduled sites, we believe that best practice is to ask to see evidence of membership of the National Council for Metal Detecting or the Federation of Independent Detectorists . Members of each follow a nationally agreed code of conduct for responsible metal detecting and encourage cooperation and responsive exchanges with other responsible heritage groups. Any responsible detectorist will leave if you make it clear that you do not wish them to detect on your land. Some landowners, such as the MOD, have a blanket ban on detectoring on their land.
But I want to encourage metal detectorists to work on my land
This is entirely up to you, providing your land is not scheduled and you do not contravene the terms of any Scottish Government grants (see above). In Scottish law, finders must report all finds of portable antiquities (an item of any material – not just precious materials - and normally made or modified more than 100 years ago). Not reporting finds is an offence under the common law of Scotland and under Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982. This is because the Crown has prior rights under the Treasure Trove system to all previously owned property that now has no owner. On the other hand, the finder invariably receives any Treasure Trove award that is the outcome of proper reporting. Detectorists normally offer to share with landowners any finds that the Crown disclaims or any reward they receive. So far as the objects themselves are concerned, the law of the land is clear: finders are not keepers, but neither do landowners have prior rights.
The Code of Practice for Treasure Trove in Scotland requires finders to report recovered objects to the Treasure Trove Unit or take them to a regional or local museum, or to a local authority archaeologist, within one month of initial discovery. The Treasure Trove Unit encourages monthly reports by post or email rather than immediately sending in the material. Delays in reporting a find will affect any ex gratia payment. The Code contains more information, including a standard reporting form: see .
The term portable antiquity in Scotland covers
�any ownerless item (bona vacantia) which is
portable, has been humanly manufactured or
modified, is of any size, type or monument,
and has been found in Scotland. Normally the
human manufacture of modification of the item
will have occurred more than 100 years before
its discovery’ (Treasure Trove in Scotland: A Code of
Practice, 2008)
Using metal detectors in Scotland
I use my metal detector north and south of the Border. What are the key differences I should be aware of? While many of the principles in the voluntary Code of Practice for Responsible Metal Detecting in England
and Wales equally apply to Scotland, our legislation and
organisations are different:
• Treasure Trove applies in Scotland (see above), not
the Treasure Act 1996
• Finds must be reported (to the Treasure Trove
Unit) rather than voluntarily to the Finds Liaison
Officer of the Portable Antiquities Scheme finds.org.uk>, and within one month of discovery.
• Access legislation is different: see the Scottish
Outdoor Access Code com>• Details of Scottish scheduled monuments, including
their legal documentation, can be downloaded for free
from PASTMAP ; see also
.
Where do I get more advice?
About scheduled monuments
Please e-mail your enquiries to e-mail or write to
us at our address below. It will help us to deal with your query efficiently if you
can tell us what local authority a site is in and supply its national grid reference
and/or its scheduled name and number.
Historic Scotland Inspectorate
Longmore House, Salisbury Place,
Edinburgh, EH9 1SH
Tel 0131 668 8770
About sites which are not scheduled, or if you do not know either way Your Council Archaeologist or archaeology service can advise you further about non-scheduled archaeological sites – see for members of the Association of Local Government Archaeological Officers in
Scotland, or contact your local council.
About the law on Treasure Trove and finds reporting
To report finds or for further information, please contact:
Treasure Trove Unit
c/o National Museums of Scotland,
Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF
Tel 0131 247 4082/435
e-mail
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Sunday 13 June 2010 - 19:09:01
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Home-made, Ultra-Wideband, Short-Pulse GROUND PENETRATING RADAR made by bulgarian engineer Petar Valchev
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Wednesday 18 November 2009 - 23:15:34
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An Introduction to Metal Detectors and metaldetecting By Charles Garrett
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Wednesday 18 November 2009 - 22:16:45
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Introduction
Like archaeology, metal detecting can be an interesting and exciting hobby.
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