Metal detectors and the law

[diane1]

Have been given a metal detector for the week but not at all sure if I can wander off into any field and keep what ever I may find. Living in Scotland not sure if our laws differ in this matter to anywhere else in Britain?

[wizard]

My grandad is a keen metal detectorist, visit his website at http://www.jimhalliday.com.
You cant go into any field to start detectoring as it is tresspassing if its on someone elses land. Thats why many people "nighthawk" - when a detectorist goes onto someone elses light on a night. Its illegal. You are allowed to keep what you find to a certain level. If its worth a lot it will be classed as treasure, therefore it will belong to the state. Sorry but these are all a bit blurred! Go to my grandad's website or email him at [Email address removed as per site policy. - AB Editor] for some accurate information!

[sft42]

Basically you need the landowners permission to look on their land....anything you find is between you and them as to how you split anything valuable....anything of historical value of large chunks of gold and gemstones must be reported to the authorities who then value it and have first refusal on purchasing it compulsarily for the nation.