Metal detector millionaire
Treasure hunter gets £2m after discovering astonishing haul of rare Viking artefacts
It was the kind of incredible discovery metal detectorists dream of as they trudge across the countryside.
the Viking treasure unearthed by Derek McLennan included gold, silver and other relics dating from the 10th century which astonished the experts.
Now the retired businessman has been told he is set to receive a record reward of almost £2million for the hoard he found three years ago in a Scottish field. An official body has ruled that the 100 or so items should be allocated to National Museums Scotland for display provided it pays Mr McLennan £1.98million.
the haul of ancient artefacts – the most valuable ever found in Scotland – was discovered on a field owned by the Church of Scotland.
But rules in Scotland mean only the finder receives payment, differing from the rest of the UK where awards are split with the landowner.
National Museums Scotland now has six months to raise enough funds to make the exgratia payment, which reflects the market value of the find.
Mr McLennan, 50, who lives near Ayr, took up metal detecting in 2011. Last night his partner Sharon McKee said: ‘We are honoured and feel privileged to have saved this internationally significant treasure and we look forward to the many exciting discoveries that will be further revealed. We cannot wait for its eventual display.’
Mr McLennan unearthed the Viking relics in a field in Dumfries and Galloway in 2014 – a year after he had discovered a cache of 300 medieval coins in the same area.
the Viking collection, which includes silver bracelets and brooches, a gold ring, an enamelled Christian cross and a bird- shaped gold pin, has been described as one of the most important ever found.
Mr McLennan immediately passed the items he found on to experts at the Crown’s treasure trove Unit.
Experts then unearthed dozens more relics, including a silver pot with its lid still in place, at the site. the decision to allocate it to National Museums Scotland was made by the Queen’s and Lord treasurer’s Remembrancer.
the £1.98 million payment dwarfs the £462,000 made in 2010 to a metal detectorist who unearthed Iron Age gold near Stirling.
the bulk of the hoard is silver jewellery but it also contains textiles and ‘exceptional precious metal and jewelled items’ including a gold ingot, beads, crystals and a decorated silver-gilt cup thought to be of Byzantine origin.
Dr Gordon Rintoul, director of National Museums Scotland, said: ‘ the Galloway hoard is of outstanding international significance.
‘We now have six months to raise £1.98million to acquire this unique treasure for the nation and ensure it can be enjoyed by future generations both at home and abroad.’
the Galloway Viking Hoard campaign group called for the items to be displayed near to where they were discovered.
Dumfries and Galloway Council had hoped to make the hoard a major attraction at an art gallery being built in Kirkcudbright.
Cathy Agnew, chairman of the Galloway Viking Hoard campaign, said: ‘the support from the public, from academics, politicians of all parties, and so many others to keep the hoard in Galloway, where it would be cherished, has been magnificent.’
National Museums Scotland said it supports the call and will work with Dumfries and Galloway Council to have some of the hoard put on display in the region.