Glasgow magnet fishers have eyes set on uncovering historic treasures in 2025

A group of magnet fishers have set their sights on uncovering historic artefacts in 2025, after pulling a number of weapons and bombs from bodies of water across Scotland this year.

The Glasgow magnet fishers was founded by Mark McGeachin after he came across a YouTuber using a magnet to pull items out of the water.

He was inspired to buy a magnet of his own from Amazon four years ago.

The group of magnet fishing enthusiasts has continued to grow and flourish ever since Mark first bought a magnet to use in the rivers and canals around Glasgow.

A practice mortar used in training exercises by the army was discovered this year Supplied

Having already uncovered everything from old safes to motorcycles, 2024 was no different for the group.

Mark told STV News: “At the start of the year we found seven guns, which were handed into the police.

“One of the guns we found was right beside the sheriff court. I think we found almost 400 army issued bullets near a bridge in Edinburgh.

A haul of bullets were pulled from the water near Edinburgh Supplied

“When we were up in Falkirk we found a World War Two mortar round which was taken away by the bomb squad.

“During one of our trips to Milton we found a big haul of machetes. We also pulled a big Yamaha motorbike from the water this year.”

As well as helping clear rivers of foreign bodies planted at the bottom, magnet fishing has proven to be a real positive for the members’ mental health.

Mark is now hoping to use the groups’ weekly trips to promote a positive message across Scotland.

He said: “Right now we are doing a suicide prevention campaign.

A haul pulled from the water during one of the groups' weekly trips — A haul pulled from the water during one of the groups’ weekly trips Supplied

“We’ll be putting flyers up on all the bridges we go to with positive messages on them. The group is about more than magnet fishing, we care about people’s mental wellbeing.

“The weekly trips give people a break from whatever problems they have in their lives. We are like a wee community and family.

“It also gets kids into the outdoors.”

Having already swept the Forth and Clyde canal countless times, Mark is aiming to take the group further north next summer

The magnet fisher dreams of pulling a significant find dated prior to the 1800s from a river in Scotland.

The group has discovered a number of items including a George Best jam jar lid pulled from the water Supplied

The group’s founder said: “Next year we are hoping to delve into metal detecting a bit.

“I’ve got permission to search a field in Perth which has links to the Romans. There’s a lot to come next year.

“We are planning on going into the hills near Loch Lomond to Glen Shira where Rob Roy hid from the English.

“I’ll be bringing diving gear along with the group to see if we can find any artefacts. We’ve planned a trip to the site of the battle of Stirling Bridge, you never what we might find there.

“We’ll also be making our way north to the River Don in Aberdeen, which has the oldest bridge in Scotland, as part of a two week trip in the north of Scotland next summer.

“I think our goal next year is to find a real bit of history. We’ve plenty World War One and World War Two items in the canals but we want older now.

“I know that we will be able to find something in the rivers around Scotland.”

Glasgow magnet fishers meet every Saturday and is open to everyone to join. To find out more about the group click here.

Help and support is available now if you need it. Details of services available can be found at stv.tv/advice.

The Samaritans can be contacted any time, from any phone, free on 116 123, email at jo@samaritans.org, or visit samaritans.org to find your nearest branch. Details of other services and more information can be found on the NHS website here.