Metal detecting

Many people own and use metal detectors in Scotland – as individuals, as members of clubs, or as participants in archaeological projects. Responsible metal detectorists have an important part to play in researching our past. They can help identify previously unknown archaeological sites and locate historic finds.

However, some archaeological sites are protected by law and you cannot metal detect on them.

You must not metal detect on a scheduled monument or protected place – you could be fined £50,000 or more and sent to prison.

Almost all scheduled monuments are likely to include below-ground archaeology. This often extends further than the visible features. You can check the location and extent of scheduled monuments on the PastMap website.

Protected places include all scheduled monuments and monuments in the care of Scottish Ministers and managed by Historic Environment Scotland (we call the sites we manage ‘Properties in Care’).

The only exception to the restriction on metal detecting is if you have been granted written consent by Historic Environment Scotland, as well as by the owner. There is more information on our page about Consent for surveying and metal detecting.

For metal detecting surveys, 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. 

You can find more advice in the guidance leaflet Metal Detecting in Scotland: