Metal detecting on beaches - beaches are owned by The Crown not the council - you can detect on public beaches without permission but if you found anything it would have to be reported to The Crown.  Some smaller beaches are privately owned and if this is the case you would need to ask permission from the private land owner before you could detect there. If you want further information, or would like to use a metal detector on council-owned land, please contact our Estates Department at estates@argyll-bute.gov.uk for guidance.