‘Tomb raider’ pair banned from every Scots historic site
Plunderers’ metal detectors seized by court
IT is a mysterious site that was once a medieval centre of power and continues to hold clues to Scotland’s history stretching back more than 5,000 years.
However, Dunadd Fort in Lochgilphead, Argyll, suffered ‘irreversible damage’ after two metal detectorists dug almost 30 holes during an illicit search for artefacts.
Andrejs Grisulis, 35, and Matthew Madden, 55, have been barred from more than 300 major historic sites around the country after they pleaded guilty to carrying out heritage offences.
The pair, whose metal detectors have been seized by prosecutors, have also been ordered to carry out 80 hours of community service and will be under supervision for six months.
Their illegal activities first came to light in June 2020 when witnesses saw them using a metal detector at the protected site.
Historic Environment Scotland (HES) staff discovered 28 holes as well as several areas of disturbance ‘consistent with metal detecting activity’.
During the investigation, HES said 22 of the holes were found to no longer contain the metal artefacts that the pair would have been after.
Police Scotland also seized an iron hammerhead that had allegedly been retrieved from Dunadd.
Grisulis and Madden admitted heritage offences when they appeared at Dunoon Sheriff Court last month. The pair were sentenced on Thursday.
There is evidence of human activity at Dunadd dating from around 3,000BC to at least AD1500, and it was once the capital and royal centre of the Gaelic kings of Dál Riata from about AD500 to AD800.
Excavations in the 1980s also confirmed that Dunadd was once a major production centre, with one of the most significant metalworking workshops in early medieval Europe.
A spokesman for HES said: ‘Dunadd is a nationally important site known for its high-status metalwork, and the removal of up to 22 metal objects is substantial and illegal and has a serious impact on the cultural significance of the monument, causing irreversible damage.
‘The removal of an artefact from its soil context in isolation without any of the controls, analysis or care deployed by an archaeologist effectively destroys the artefact’s relationship with the site and can damage other archaeological remains.
‘An artefact removed through metal detecting holds limited monetary value and most of the information about its origins and associations – arguably its real value – alongside the physical artefact itself, is lost forever.
‘This inhibits an ability to understand and appreciate the monument and its contribution to Scotland’s national story.’
Oliver Lewis, senior ancient monuments officer at HES, said: ‘We welcome the court’s decision which reflects the seriousness of the offence and the impact that it has had on one of Scotland’s most important archaeological sites.
‘Heritage crime is a serious matter which can irreparably damage our monuments and cultural assets as well as our proud historical connections to the past.’
Police Inspector Alan Dron said: ‘Illegal metal detecting is a serious offence which can result in significant harm and loss to Scotland’s historic past. The detection and prosecution of these offences have been the result of a concerted effort by the police, the Crown Office and HES.’