From love at first beep to a golden medieval brooch: A detectorist explains his passion
When his father was gifted a metal detector for his birthday in 1987, Colin Todd asked to try it out. It was love at first beep, and 35 years and a booming metal detector business later, Todd is now one of the best-respected metal detectorists in Scotland, using his knowledge and experience to welcome beginners to the hobby and to teach them the lie of the as of yet undiscovered historical artefacts in the land.
“During my first experience using a metal detector, I was absolutely amazed that this thing could find stuff in the ground. At school, I wasn’t interested in history or geography, but suddenly I found myself in the Mitchell Library studying old books, trying to find new places to go. I trained myself how to read old maps and history books, and now I teach others how to do it, too.”
Todd insists that night hawkers are a small minority within the metal detector community, and abhors their actions, trying to root them out where he can. As Todd sells metal detectors as part of his business, he ensures that all of his customers walk away with a strong sense of the dos and don’ts of metal detecting. He said: “Metal detectorists worked hard and liaised with dealers so that they included a code of conduct pamphlet inside every metal detector box. Along with selling detectors, I also run weekly events, where people don’t have to be part of a club to join. We’re there with high-vis jackets on and oversee what is happening, teach everyone how to do it properly without leaving big holes or rubbish in the fields, and advise them on if and how to declare things to Treasure Trove if they have to. It is important to teach people how to do it responsibly.”
The most valuable item Todd has found was a medieval solid gold brooch that was inscribed with Latin wording, and which now resides in the National Museum of Scotland. The most special item, however, was a valueless Victorian brooch he found in a wooded area on the Isle of Rousay, in Orkney. “My ancestors came from Rousay, and when I found it, every hair from my toes to my head stood up! I’ve found thousands of items, but that was one of the only ones that sent a shiver up my spine, even though it was worthless. To this day, I’m still not really sure why I responded so strongly!”