Gold Panning in Strathfillan
Gold Panning is a popular activity in the Strathfillan area, and many individuals and families will undertake a spot of panning as part of their stay in the area. Although this is a great way to get outside and enjoy the beautiful landscape of Strathfillan, people must keep in mind that over-panning or not following best practice can damage the environment and disturb delicate ecosystems.
Here we provide some information on the dos and don'ts of panning, and what is and is not allowed.
To pan in Tyndrum Community Woodland you must purchase a permit. Please see below for more information.
What does the law say?
All gold and silver in Scotland comes under the ownership of the Crown Estate Scotland. Ultimately, it’s owned by the King. The Crown Estate Scotland has to give permission for the removal and sale of gold in Scotland.
The Crown Estate Scotland’s policy is that they do not grant permission for the removal of gold via recreational gold panning.
What does this mean for you?
Basically, you can pan for gold, but it is against the law to remove or sell the gold you find.
If you still want to pan for gold then you must adhere to Best Practice outlined by SEPA (Scottish Environment Protection Agency). If you do not follow Best Practice you can be charged for committing an offence under the Controlled Activities Regulations.
SEPA's Best Practice for Recreational Gold Panning
Panning should be limited to hand panning using only sieves, gold pans, shovels and buckets, portable sluice and a hand operated pump.
Do not use powered machinery/equipment e.g. electric pumps and powered dredges.
Seek permission from the landowner before undertaking any panning activities.
Panning should not undertaken during periods in which fish are likely to be spawning nor between spawning and the emergence of the juvenile fish. Panning should not be carried out between 1st November and 31st May.
Where hollows are created in the riverbed, the bed material should be replaced into the holes on the same day that it was removed.
The activity should not involve digging into the riverbanks.
Panning should not carried out in water where there is a reasonable likelihood that there are freshwater pearl mussels within 50 meters.
Gold Panning in Tyndrum Community Woodlands
You are welcome to pan for gold in Tyndrum Community Woodlands, but only if you purchase a permit from Strathfillan Community Development Trust beforehand. These can be purchased using the link and QR code below.
2023 Prices:
Day Permit £5.00
Week Permit £25.00
Season Permit £50.00
Our Rangers will be checking that you have bought a permit; if you have not bought a permit you will be asked to either purchase one immediately or leave.
Panning is not permitted between November 1st and May 31st when salmon and trout are spawning and juveniles are present.
Gold Panning Permits
To purchase permits to gold pan in Tyndrum Community Woodland, please click on the link below, or use the QR code adjacent.
Gold Panning Leaflet
To download our gold panning leaflet, which provides all the information you need. Please click on the link below.
Useful Links:
To find out more about the legal and regulatory aspects of gold panning in Scotland, please look at the following links:
Scottish Crown Estate This provides information on the law of gold panning.
SEPA Best Practice This provides information on SEPA's (Scottish Environmental Protection Agency) stance and their Best Practice.
Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park Policy This provides information on the National Park's gold panning policy.
Scottish Outdoor Access Code This provides general information on accessing the great Scottish outdoors.