Eight-year-old finds mortar shell on Ardersier Beach during metal detector walk with father
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AN ARDERSIER photographer and his eight-year-old daughter were caught by surprise last night as during an evening metal detector walk they found themselves digging up a mortar shell.
It was around 8pm last night when Chris Andrew (38) and his daughter Breagha were exploring near the Doplhin Bay Suites when they found the device, calling police and coastguard shortly after.
Mr Andrew said it was quite a scary experience.
"I promised Breagha we would go out with the metal detector so we went for a walk on the beach.
"The metal detector started beeping but we could see nothing, and realised it must have been quite deep in the sand.
"I started digging and felt with the shovel that there was a metallic object there. In the end I dug it out of the sand.
"When we realised what it was we immediately run back. She was quite scared, I must have panicked a bit!
"I immediately called the police, who passed on the message to the Coastguard and they phoned me back.
"They responded quite quickly, and they removed the object with low tide. I had placed the shovel upright nearby so it was easier for them to find where it was and if it had moved. "
Mr Andrew added that thankfully, the coastguard told him the shell was a from a practice round in the 50s.
He said that the experience has put him slightly off going out with their metal detector.
He said: "This one was from a practice round, but I do think what would have happened if it was a live one.
"Breagha and I have been out with the metal detector about five times, she likes to explore and it's something we enjoy doing together. However we might not go back for a wee while! Or we might stick to some forest walks.
"The most difficult part was to convince her that we couldn't bring it home and to school for show and tell!"
AN HM Coastguard spokesperson said: "We responded to reports of suspected ordnance in Ardersier yesterday, May 2. Coastguard Rescue Teams from Nairn and Burghead were at the scene at around 9pm.
"Explosive Ordnance Disposal attended and removed the item."
