Scottish Father-Son Duo Discover Hundreds of Weapons While Magnet-Fishing

Mark McGeachin, 42, and his son James, 9, have made a startling series of discoveries while pursuing their hobby of magnet-fishing in Scotland's canals over the past five years. The pair have pulled out hundreds of weapons from the waterways, including bombs, axes, machetes, and guns.

The McGeachins, who started the Glasgow Magnet Fishing group in 2019, have been diligently reporting their finds to Police Scotland. The group, which has grown to include hundreds of members, has encountered a wide array of items during their magnet-fishing expeditions, ranging from motorbikes and cars to a live bomb that required the bomb squad to handle.

Why this matters: The alarming number of weapons found in Scotland's canals raises concerns about public safety and the potential for these items to be used in criminal activities. The discoveries also emphasize the importance of responsible magnet-fishing and the need for individuals to report any dangerous finds to the proper authorities.

While magnet-fishing itself is not illegal, Police Scotland has warned that in some cases where there is a clear disregard for public safety, a charge of culpable and reckless conduct may be applied. The police have also expressed concerns about the costs associated with responding to the group's discoveries.

Despite the thrill of their finds, Mark McGeachin admits that he is starting to get "slightly fed up" with the countless weapons they have pulled from the canals. He hopes that in the future, they will unearth more historical artifacts, such as a Viking sword, rather than the seemingly endless supply of dangerous items.

In a statement to the media, a Police Scotland spokesperson said, "We would urge anyone who finds anything suspicious or dangerous to leave it in situ and contact the police immediately." The McGeachins' experiences serve as a reminder of the potential hazards that can lurk beneath the surface of Scotland's waterways and the importance of exercising caution and responsibility when engaging in magnet-fishing activities.

Key Takeaways

• Mark McGeachin and son James have found hundreds of weapons while magnet-fishing in Scotland.
• The discoveries include bombs, axes, machetes, and guns, raising public safety concerns.
• The Glasgow Magnet Fishing group reports their finds to Police Scotland, who warn of potential charges.
• Magnet-fishing is not illegal, but dangerous finds must be reported to authorities immediately.
• The McGeachins hope to uncover more historical artifacts rather than weapons in the future.