National treasure
The recent discovery of a Viking boat burial (your report, 19 October) is significant. I thought it important to clarify that in Scotland our “treasure trove” system protects and safeguards such finds for the nation’s benefit.
Archaeological material cannot be removed from Scotland without the permission of the Queen’s & Lord Treasurer’s Remembrancer and must be declared by the finder.
Under Scots law all such finds belong to the Crown, safeguarding their preservation for the people of Scotland and allocation to a suitable Scottish museum.
Catherine Dyer
Queen’s and Lord Treasurer’s Remembrancer
South St Andrew Street