Consent for surveying and metal detecting

You need metal and mineral detecting consent to use any equipment capable of detecting metal within a protected place (a scheduled monument or monument in the ownership or guardianship of Scottish Ministers).

This includes equipment used for: 

• metal detecting 

• magnetometer survey

• gradiometer survey

• ground penetrating radar surveys 

Find out more about what needs consent

Metal and mineral detecting consent will normally be granted for geophysical surveys. 

For metal detecting, metal and mineral detecting consent will normally only be granted where the survey forms part of a wider research strategy, and provision is made for the conservation and reporting of finds. 

Applications for metal and mineral detecting consent must include: 

• a research strategy including survey methodology, reporting and archiving of data 

• a plan showing the proposed survey area 

• confirmation that you have permission from the landowner to conduct the survey 

Applications for metal detecting should also include:

• an outline of how you will conserve and analyse any finds 

Contact us via hmenquiries@hes.scot to request the relevant form.

Application guidance notes can be downloaded below. You can also read our general guidance on metal detecting.

For more information or if you have any questions, please email us at hmenquiries@hes.scot or contact us by phone on 0131 668 8716