Tiffany Haney
Gold has been mined in Scotland for centuries, with records of gold discoveries dating back to the time of James I. There have been several gold rushes in Scotland, with the most recent being in 1869 at Baile An Or on the Kildonan Burn in Helmsdale, Sutherland. Gold panning is a popular activity in Scotland, and there are several locations where you can try your luck at finding gold. One popular spot is the River Helmsdale and the Kildonan Burn in the North East of Scotland, which is open to anyone to pan for gold for a maximum of two weeks a year. Another option is to visit the Museum of Lead Mining, where you can try gold panning in special tanks and are guaranteed to find a few flakes of real gold.
Places for gold panning in Scotland
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| River Helmsdale | North Eastern coast of Scotland |
| Kildonan Burn | Baile an Or |
| Tyndrum | Established gold mine |
| Perthshire hills | Significant discoveries of gold |
| Pentland Hills | Crawford Moor |
| Megget Water | |
| Lowther Hills | |
| Leadhills | |
| Wanlockhead | |
| Mennock Waters | |
| Elvan Water | |
| Short Clough | |
| Tributaries of Elvan Water | |
| Museum of Lead Mining | Special panning tanks |
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What You'll Learn
The River Helmsdale and Kildonan Burn
The River Helmsdale and the Kildonan Burn are located on the North Eastern coast of Scotland. In 1818, a nugget of gold large enough to make a ring was found in the River Helmsdale. This discovery led to the Kildonan Gold Rush in 1869.
The Kildonan Burn is a small tributary of the Helmsdale River, flowing from the foot of the "Hill of the Irishman". Gold panning is restricted to the areas between the upside of the stone bridge and the ford crossing. You can follow the hill vehicle track that leaves the car parking area and climbs the knoll to the rear. From there, the track turns left and crosses the burn. You can pan anywhere from this crossing back to the upside of the stone bridge, avoiding the waterfall at the end of the flat sandstone slabs.
The River Helmsdale valley offers a sheltered route to the banks of the Kildonan Burn. Visitors can park on the original site of the Kildonan Gold Rush town of 1869, by the small wooden hut in the car parking, camping, and recreation site. Gold panning equipment can be hired or purchased from Strath Ullie Crafts & Visitor Information by the Harbour in Helmsdale. The equipment includes a gold pan, riddle, trowel, instruction leaflet, pipette, and a canister for findings.
The Kildonan burn valley is known for its environmental pristine-ness, with no chemical contamination or seepage of applied fertilizer or weed killers. The water is tinted to an amber-whisky colour. Visitors are requested to keep the area clean and tidy, and waste bins are provided. Any changes or updates to the rules are posted in the hut.
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The Perthshire hills
Gold panning in Scotland can be a fun adventure, and there have indeed been significant gold discoveries across the Perthshire hills. In fact, gold worth £300 million is estimated to be present in the hills and could be extracted.
The Birks of Aberfeldy, located in the Perthshire hills, was the scene of a mini gold rush in the early 2000s. This was sparked by a rumour about the presence of gold in Aberfeldy, which attracted many prospectors to the area. This gold rush has similarities to the one that occurred in 1852 in Fife, one of only two gold rushes in Scotland's history.
The firm Erris Resources is particularly interested in prospecting for gold in sites south of Loch Tay, with a focus on the village of Ardtalnaig and a site called Glen Almond, located four miles south. Samples from these areas have revealed the presence of gold, with Glen Almond yielding two "high-grade" samples.
So, if you're looking to try your hand at gold panning in Scotland, the Perthshire hills, specifically the areas mentioned above, are definitely worth considering. Remember to follow any relevant regulations and respect the natural environment during your gold-seeking adventures!
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Tyndrum gold mine
Gold has been found and worked on in Scotland for a long time, with records of gold discoveries dating back to the time of James I. Tyndrum, a small village in Scotland, is a former mining centre. The site of a gold mine is two miles (three kilometres) to the south and west of Tyndrum at Cononish, above Cononish Farm.
The Cononish gold and silver mine is owned by Scotgold Resources and is located near Tyndrum, on the north-western boundary of the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park. The mine uses groundwater generated from existing mine excavations and is expected to produce 23,370oz of gold equivalent a year. The deposit contains a Palaeozoic quartz vein structure arranged into multiple sediments of Proterozoic metamorphic rocks. The mineralisation is associated with a narrow vertical quartz-carbonate vein trending North East-South West.
The mine has been exploited in several phases for lead, silver, and gold. "Tyndrum Lead and Zinc Mines Ltd." worked the mines from 1916 to 1926, and Scotgold Resources restarted mining operations in 2007 and again in 2016. In October 2011, it was announced that the mine would be reactivated and was expected to employ 52 people and produce 163,000 troy ounces (5,100 kg) of gold over the next 10 years. However, due to planning difficulties and a fall in gold prices, the opening of the mine was delayed.
The remains of the old mining operations can be seen from the Green Welly Stop in Tyndrum, and visitors can try their luck panning for gold in the rivers running from the mountains.
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The Lead Mining Museum
Gold panning in Scotland can be done at the River Helmsdale, particularly at Kildonan Burn, where gold can be panned for a maximum of two weeks a year. Gold has also been found in the Perthshire hills and at Tyndrum, which has an established gold mine.
The museum offers a variety of exhibits and experiences for visitors. Here is what you can expect during your visit:
- Mine Tour: Visitors can explore the genuine 18th-century lead mine, Lochnell Mine, and go underground to see how miners worked and followed the veins of lead.
- Miners' Library: The Miners' Library, founded in 1756, is one of the earliest workers' subscription libraries in Europe. It houses a diverse collection of books on subjects such as religion, overseas travel, politics, mineralogy, and mining.
- Straitsteps Cottages: A short walk from the museum takes you to Straitsteps Cottages, where you can learn about the living conditions of miners and their families in the 1750s, 1850s, and 1920s.
- Beam Engine: Outside the cottages, you can see the Beam Engine, a waterbucket pumping engine and one of the only remaining ones in the UK.
- Mineral and Artefact Displays: The visitor centre features displays of minerals, including gold, as well as local artefacts and information on the local geology and mining processes.
- Gold Panning: During the season, visitors can try their hand at gold panning, both in the museum's gold panning tanks and in the local streams with the purchase of a licence.
- Tearoom and Gift Shop: The museum has a tearoom serving homemade food and drinks, as well as a gift shop offering a range of gifts, books, toys, minerals, and gold panning equipment.
The museum is well-signposted from the M74, and transport is recommended as bus services to the area are limited. It offers a fun and educational experience for all ages, providing insight into the history of lead mining and the lives of the people who worked in this industry.
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Lowther Hills, Leadhills, and Wanlockhead
Gold panning in the Lowther Hills area of Scotland, particularly around the villages of Wanlockhead and Leadhills, has been popular for centuries. The area was known as 'God's Treasure House in Scotland' due to its abundance of minerals, and gold panning has been a common activity in the local burns (small streams or rivers). The Wanlockhead Lead Mining Museum offers gold panning on site and runs day courses taught by experienced panners. You can also book a 5-hour course with a local instructor, Leon Kirk, through the museum.
The first documented evidence of gold recovery in the area dates back to the early 16th century during the reign of King James IV of Scotland. The search for gold in the sixteenth century also revealed the abundance and richness of lead veins in the area, leading to the establishment of highly productive lead mines. The Leadhills-Wanlockhead mining district was the most important lead-zinc deposit in Scotland, producing an estimated half a million tons of lead concentrates over 300 years.
The villages of Wanlockhead and Leadhills are the highest in Scotland, and the area offers beautiful scenery, such as the Mennock Pass, which provides an excellent backdrop for gold panning enthusiasts. The Leadhills Estate, surrounding the village of Leadhills, is also home to the Lowther Hills Ski Club, which operates ski tows in the hills above the village.
In addition to gold panning, the Leadhills Estate offers a range of leisure and tourism activities, including walking, fishing, golfing, and a steam railway. The Leadhills and Wanlockhead Railway is Britain's highest narrow-gauge railway, reaching 1498 feet above sea level. It was originally built in 1900 for transporting refined lead but now offers scenic journeys for visitors during the summer months.
The area also boasts a rich history, with the Leadhills Miners Library, the oldest subscription library in the British Isles, located in Leadhills village. The neighbouring village of Wanlockhead is home to the second-oldest library in the country. These libraries are of significant historical and geological importance and are well worth a visit.
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Frequently asked questions
Gold has been mined in Scotland for centuries, and there are several places where you can still pan for gold today.
Yes, there was a gold rush in 1869 at Baile An Or on the Kildonan Burn in Helmsdale, Sutherland. Gold has also been found in the Pentland Hills, on Crawford Moor, and by Megget Water.
Yes, the River Helmsdale and the Kildonan Burn are open to anyone to pan for gold for a maximum of two weeks a year. Free camping is available, and you can contact the Suisgill Estate for more information.
You will need a gold pan, which you can purchase or rent from various suppliers. Some companies also offer gold panning kits that include a fully researched instruction leaflet to help you get started.
Yes, the Museum of Lead Mining offers gold panning courses and taster sessions where you can try your hand at panning for gold with the guidance of an experienced instructor. These experiences typically last a few hours and may include the necessary equipment and a packed lunch.
