The Douglas nugget

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Douglas Nugget   

 


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A gold nugget - claimed to be one of the biggest ever found in Britain - has been discovered in a Scottish river.

The gold, dubbed the Douglas Nugget, weighs 85.7g, and has been estimated to be worth more than £50,000.

It was discovered in 2016 ago but remained secret for two years.

The man who found it wishes to remain anonymous and the exact location of the river where the nugget was situated is also being kept under wraps.

In 2019, we celebrated the 150th anniversary of the British Gold Rush near Helmsdale where my Great Great Grandfather Donald Campbell of Lybster was photographed sitting on a grassy slope in the “City of Gold” – Baile ‘n Oir.

Gold rushes in Scotland have not always been successful, though. One gold rush was cringingly embarrassing. In 1852, when thousands of poorly-paid workers down-tooled and went to the hills above Kinneswood, Perth and Kinross, in search of riches on the basis of the rumour that gold nuggets the size of your fist had been found. What they ended up with were sacks full of the virtually worthless mineral pyrite (known locally as ‘Fairy Balls’). This gold rush did not last long but became known as the Fools’ Gold Rush. The mineral pyrite also became known as fool’s gold.

 


Note:
•  In 2019, a gold hunter discovered the UK's largest gold nugget in two pieces in a Scottish river. The lump of pure gold, which weighs 121.3g (4.2 oz), was unearthed in a mystery location in May this year.  The two pieces form a doughnut shape and could be worth £80,000. The previous largest find, in 2016, was the 85.7g (3oz) Douglas Nugget.




Source

 

Sources for this article include:
  • Hunterian Museum

    Any contributions will be gratefully accepted    Can anyone tell me how the nugget got it's name?






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    Last modified: Monday, 25 March 2024