Welcome to The Gold Club Our website provides information on gold panning for land owners, game keepers, farmers, and angling clubs with gold bearing rivers who may be interested in seeing what we do and how we do it. Our aim is to take into consideration the wider implications and privileges that go with having access to private land and to that end this website provides information not just on gold panning but also on the equipment used.
					Recreational Gold Panning Gold panning is hard work. Most days we do nothing more exciting than move large stones and rocks in freezing rivers, as well as carrying all our equipment to and from the car. We understand that we must have permission from those with rights to the gold as well as land owners for access to their land before we go gold panning.
					Gold Sniping Sniping for gold is the method of using a drysuit or wetsuit, snorkel and mask to look for gold in cracks in exposed bedrock on the river bed. It is not gold panning. The only equipment used in gold sniping is basically just a geologist's hammer, small chisel, patio weeder for scraping cracks, and snuffer bottle. Perhaps if gold panning is not an option, gold sniping could be permitted under certain conditions.
					Ecological and Environmental Considerations Not all rivers are the same, and the ecology of a river needs to be considered before gold panning should be permitted. This is particularly so with respect to migratory fish such as salmon and sea trout. The Gold Club has much experience in this field, including having worked with a prominent Scottish angling association, an independent fishing consultant who is a member of the Dee River board, and Scottish Natural Heritage to gain access to one river in Angus and one in Aberdeenshire.
					Not a Road to Quick Riches Gold panning in the UK is not a road to quick riches. This is a recreational outdoor hobby which costs us money, not makes us money, especially when you add up petrol, travelling expenses, and expensive kit such as drysuits. If you're looking for friends and an outdoor life that promotes fitness, sure, have a go at gold panning, but it won't make you rich.

If you're looking for photographs of gold panning, please visit my online photography e-store
Highlands of Scotland Photography

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