Magnet fishing to be allowed on Scottish canals for first time

People can fish metal objects buried in canals and rivers in Scotland from Saturday

Magnet fishing will be allowed in Scottish canals from Saturday (Google Maps)

Magnet fishing will be allowed for the first time in canals in Scotland from Saturday.

The pastime involves hunting for metal buried in canals and rivers using high-powered magnets.

The national body, Official Magnet Fishing Scotland, has been granted scheduled monument consent (SMC) from Historic Environment Scotland (HES).

Elly McCrone, HES director of heritage, said: “We have been working with Scottish Canals for many years to ensure the ongoing protection and management of Scotland’s historic canal network.

“We are pleased to grant this consent which will enable the magnet fishing community to legally remove objects from the canal, helping to ensure the continued enjoyment and protection of this important piece of our heritage.”

The initial area covered by the SMC is for Edinburgh. Further consent applications are being submitted for Inverness and Glasgow in the coming months.

Without the consent, magnet fishing in a  canal is considered unauthorised work on a scheduled monument and could result in fines of up to £50,000.

Catherine Topley, chief executive of Scottish Canals, said: “At Scottish Canals, we are delighted to be working with our partners to allow safe, responsible and accessible magnet fishing to take place along the historic canal network.

“Magnet fishing will have a positive impact on our network and this activity will help our operations staff ensure that our canals remain positive green and blue spaces for the people of Scotland and navigable for our boating customers.”

The UK’s first magnet fishing agreement was signed between Scottish Canals and Official Magnet Fishing Scotland last December. The agreement set out safe working practices and waste disposal policies.

Calum Black, chairman of the group, said: “On behalf of magnet fishers across the country, we would like to thank Scottish Canals and Historic Environment Scotland for their determination to find a viable solution to magnet fishing.

“Over the last year magnet fishing has become hugely popular and the canal network has proven time and time again to be our members’ destination of choice.”