Metal Detectorist Stumbles on Largest Collection of 1,000-Year-Old Viking Artifacts in Scotland. Experts Label the Haul 'Exceptional'.

Being an explorer isn't everyone's cup of tea. It requires constant commitment and passion because success does not come easily. But that wasn't the case for Derek McLennan who in his first two years as a treasure hunter, made back-to-back significant discoveries in Scotland, Vintage News reported.

His first finding was a collection of medieval coins from Twynholm in 2013. The next one happened in 2014 from a Dumfries and Galloway field. This one not only got him a hefty sum of money but also courted legal problems.

McLennan found around 100 items from the Viking age through his scan of Dumfries and Galloway field, Vintage News reported. The area where he unearthed these valuables was owned by the Church of Scotland. Before the search, he and his team took the required permission from the organization. 

McLennan was surveying the ground with a metal detector when he heard a ping, Vintage News reported. He concentrated on the spot and began digging. The first thing he saw was a silver spoon. He took it out and got completely mind-blown when he turned it back. The businessman saw a Saltire-type design and knew it was from the Viking era. "My senses exploded, I went into shock, endorphins flooded my system, and away I went stumbling towards my colleagues waving it in the air," McLennan said about the moment.

McLennan and two of his friends continued shoveling and went on to find silver and gold ingots, brooches, and even an early Christian cross in the area, Vintage News reported. The entire treasure trove was later named Galloway Hoard. He contacted the Scottish Treasure Trove Unit about these findings, and they blocked the area for excavation. The found items were analyzed and confirmed to be from the 9th and 10th centuries. Experts lauded the hoard as 'exceptional' regarding its historic value.

As per Scottish law, the person who finds the treasure gets to keep the amount for which it is sold, Daily Mail reported. Hence, McLellan was to keep the money at which the valuables would be sold, but the question was who would buy it. Considering the treasure's connection to the country's history, authorities wanted it to be under the custody of one of its museums. 

The case of the treasure's future was brought before the Queen's and Lord Treasurer's Remembrancer, Daily Mail reported. They ruled that the items should go on display at National Museums Scotland, under the condition that the organization pay £1.98 million to McLennan. 

National Museums Scotland turned towards the Crown Estate to raise the required sum, Daily Mail reported. The museum took the hoard from McLennan, making him a very rich man in the process.

After the trade, the Church of Scotland sued McLennan for a portion of the money, Daily Mail reported. "We can confirm that The General Trustees of the Church of Scotland have raised an action against Derek McLennan. As that is now a matter before the court it would be inappropriate for us to provide any further commentary at this time," their spokesperson said.

According to Scottish law, it is completely dependent on the discretion of the finder, whether the landowner receives any money for the treasure or not.

McLennan allegedly promised the Church half of the proceeds gained in exchange for the treasure, since it was found on their land, Daily Mail reported. After receiving the money, the businessman reportedly broke off all contact. Left with no other way the Church decided to take a legal route. 

Both the parties settled out of the court at a later date, Daily Mail reported. "He more than covered the church’s legal costs. I do not know the amount. But I think for both it was better than the legal costs," Church of Scotland, minister, David Bartholomew, stated.

Since the discovery of Viking items, McLennan launched a new venture with his wife, Daily Mail reported. His new organization's name is Beyond The Beep, which aims to help ex-soldiers deal with combat stress.