£460,000 windfall for man who discovered Iron Age torcs with metal detector

David Booth an amateur metal-detecting enthusiast came across more than the usual tin cans and coins when he unearthed a collection of 2000 year old Iron Age golden neckbands in a field near Stirling, this amazing find could land him an impressive £460,000 payment.



David is a keeper at Blair Drummond Safari park, he had only owned a metal detector for five day before making this find on one of his first trips outside with his new metal detector. He took the golden bands back to his house and contacted the authorities.



The torcs Date from between the 1st and 3rd century BC, this find represent the most important hoard of Iron Age gold in Scotland to date. They were buried just six inches beneath the surface.



This week, the Queen's and Lord Treasurer's Remembrancer announced that she was "minded" to allocate "Scotland's most outstanding treasure trove find" to National Museums Scotland, provided they meet the ex-gratia award of £462,000 which would be payable to Mr Booth.



Queen's and Lord Treasurer's Remembrancer (QLTR) Catherine Dyer said: "This is a very significant find, the most important hoard of Iron Age gold ever found in Scotland. That these stunning artefacts have been unearthed in such excellent condition after being buried for 2,000 years is simply amazing.



"I am pleased to announce that if National Museums Scotland in Edinburgh meets the ex-gratia award, which would then be payable to the finder, then I am minded to accept the recommendation of the Scottish Archaeological Finds Allocation Panel (SAFAP) that these wonderful items be allocated to National Museums Scotland."



So well done Mr Booth, I imagine there will be a surge of people buying metal detectors now hoping to find a similar golden hoard.