Scottish Fossil Regulations
Regulations and Guidelines concerning fossil collecting in Scotland

In very basic terms, the landowner (or more specifically, the owner of the mineral rights) owns all fossil specimens found on their land. Before collecting fossils, it is important to seek-out the land owner to get their permission. After obtaining permission, the owner still owns the fossil and should be consulted about its disposal. In other words, you cannot give/exchange/sell specimens without the express permission of the owner.

There are other regulations concerning Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI's). The distribution of permits is controlled by the Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH). The head-offices of the SNH is in Edinburgh. The mode/means of collecting is also controlled as are the permitted number of specimens removed.

Prosecution can, and will, occur if these procedures are not adhered to. In 1977 a small party of German collectors were prosecuted for collecting using power tools without a permit (see Rolfe W. D. I. 1985, One user's view: the Lesmahagow Affair. Misc. Pap. Geol. Soc. London. 16, 42-47) . Another case is currently under consideration.

The regulations concerning SSSI's is based on the 1968 Countryside Act; Section 15.

The same regulations relate to mineral collecting also.

Address of the SNH:-

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Please also visit the Hunterian Museum .