Treasure Trove in Scotland

The Crown can claim, on behalf of the nation, any object or coin found in Scotland under the laws of bona vacantia.

These laws apply to all newly discovered finds and to all old finds which have not been reported, whether they have been found by metal detecting, by chance, by fieldwalking or by archaeological excavation.

Finders have no ownership rights to any find they make in Scotland and all finds, with the exception of Victorian and 20th century coins, must be reported to the Treasure Trove Unit for assessment.

The Treasure Act (1996) does not apply in Scotland

Contact: Treasure Trove Unit
National Museums of Scotland
Chambers Street
Edinburgh EH1 1JF
telephone: 0131 247 4355
email: info@treasuretrovescotland.co.uk