Two men have been banned from entering historical Scots sites after metal detecting, damaging a monument and removing an ancient iron artefact at a medieval fort.
Andrejs Grisulis, 35 and Matthew Madden, 55, were seen using a metal detector and digging at Dunadd Fort in Lochgilphead, Argyll and Bute on June 8, 2020.
Following a complaint from a witness and subsequent investigation by Historic Environment Scotland, 28 holes were found at the site.
An extremely fragile and vulnerable iron hammerhead was also recovered by Police Scotland officers.
Dunadd Fort has been legally protected for 90 years and is one of the most important early medieval power centres in Scotland.
It was the royal centre and capital of the early Scottish kingdom of Dál Riata, believed to have begun from at least the fifth century.
Grisulis and Madden previously pled guilty to heritage offences at Dunoon Sheriff Court.
They have now been banned from entering any site owned and managed by Historic Environment Scotland for two years.
They also received a Community Payback Order requiring them to carry out 80 hours unpaid work and supervision for six months.
The court also granted the prosecutors motion for the forfeiture of the metal detector.
Speaking following the sentencing, Anne Marie Hicks, Assistant Procurator Fiscal for North Strathclyde, said: “Dunadd Fort is of great significance to our Scottish heritage and the local community. It is a nationally important scheduled monument subject to legal protection.
“It is vitally important that there are laws in place to protect such important sites and as with this case where there is sufficient evidence of a crime and if it is appropriate and in the public interest to do so, we will prosecute.”
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