Survey Work and Consent

Non invasive survey of scheduled monuments is actively encouraged by Historic Scotland as it can help to improve knowledge and understanding of the monument whilst causing no damage.  There are a number of techniques which require the prior written permission of Scottish Ministers, either scheduled monument consent (SMC) or s42 consent for metal detecting.  For these techniques, it is an offence to carry out these works without first receiving consent.  The table below outlines what consent if any is required for the main types of survey works.  For survey works not covered below, please contact Historic Scotland for advice.

Survey method	SMC	S42	None
Topographic			x
Resistivity			x
Magnetometry/ Gradiometry		x
Magnetic Susceptibility (field coil)			x
Magnetic Susceptibility (sampling)	x
Metal Detecting		x
Ground Penetrating Radar		x
Seismic Survey	x
Lidar Survey			x
Field Walking (removal of artefacts)	x
Insertion of permanent survey markers	x
Insertion of survey markers  or probes (temporary or permanent) below the depth of the current topsoil	x
Excavation on any scale	x

If you are planning to undertake any survey which does not require consent, it can often be useful to let Historic Scotland know in advance (although there is no requirement to do so).  We would also be pleased to receive a copy of your results when they become available.