A treasure hunter struck lucky by discovering a pot of gold worth hundreds of pounds.
Michael Barron found the first of 36 oak caskets filled with the precious metal hanging from a tree in Glenshee in the Cairngorms.
The pot contained enough gold to make a £500 ring.
He located the “FaerieGold” nuggets by following clues posted on YouTube and social media.
Michael drove from his home in Huntly, Aberdeenshire, and spent hours walking in the Glenshee area over a two-day period.
He found enough gold to have a ring and pendant made.
The 36-year-old dad, who works as a lineman for SSE, said: “I got into gold panning last Christmas after getting a panning kit. Then I came across FaerieGold on social media while looking for advice on panning.
“Glenshee was given as a location for it. I know the area quite well so when I was watching the clues on YouTube, I recognised it. I did some research from the clues. It took a bit of working out but I found it.
“It was near a standing stone. I looked up, saw a piece of string on a tree and there it was.
“I was over the moon. It was worth all the effort – the long drive up there and hours of research.”
He added: “The hunt was fun and enjoyable. I urge others to join the hunt for FaerieGold as more will be hidden all over the UK in coming months.’
George Marshall, 56, from Dundee, hides the pots of gold. His fictional alter-ego Dr Johnathan Bones – inspired by Indiana Jones – releases clues on YouTube and social media on its location.
He said: “I just want people to get out and have fun and adventure.
“The clues for the second pot of FaerieGold treasure will be revealed on August 1 on YouTube. It will be hidden somewhere on the Isle of Skye.”
