The discovery was made on Church of Scotland land in Dumfries, however, the exact location has not been revealed because the Scottish Government, Treasure Trove Unit and Historic Scotland have to make sure its properly protected while the full historical significance of the site is established
The discovery was made in early September by Mr McLennan.
Fellow metal detectorists Reverend Dr David Bartholomew, who is a Church of Scotland minister of a rural Galloway charge, and Mike Smith, the pastor of an Elim Pentecostal Church in Galloway were also in the vicinity at the time.
Rev Dr Bartholomew said: 'We were searching elsewhere when Derek initially thought he'd discovered a Viking gaming piece.
‘A short time later he ran over to us waving a silver arm-ring and shouting 'Viking'! It was tremendously exciting, especially when we noticed the silver cross lying face-downwards.
‘It was poking out from under the pile of silver ingots and decorated arm-rings, with a finely wound silver chain still attached to it.
THE VIKING HOARD OF DUMFRIES
The discovery was made in early September by Mr McLennan.
Fellow metal detectorists Reverend Dr David Bartholomew, who is a Church of Scotland minister of a rural Galloway charge, and Mike Smith, the pastor of an Elim Pentecostal Church in Galloway were also in the vicinity at the time.
It was made on Church of Scotland land, but the exact location hasn't been revealed.
The hoard also includes various brooches, ingots and this gold bird pin
The hoard also includes various brooches, ingots and this gold bird pin
The hoard, which consists of more than a hundred artefacts, many of which are historically unique, is now under the care of the Treasure Trove Unit and is regarded as being of significant international importance.
Within the find is an early Christian solid silver cross from the 9th or 10th centuries.
The cross is engraved with decorations that, experts say, are highly unusual, which Mr McLennan believes may represent the four Gospels - Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
It was found among dozens of silver arm-rings and ingots two feet below the surface.
The excavation was undertaken by Andrew Nicholson, the county archaeologist, and, shortly after, Mr McLennan found a second signal at its base.
Further investigations uncovered a second level trove which is of considerably higher quality than the first.
It includes possibly the largest silver pot from the Carolingian dynasty discovered, which could be up to 1,200-years-old.
Other finds include a gold ring, and a gold bird pin.
The hoard falls under the Scots law of treasure trove, and is currently in the care of the Treasure Trove Unit.
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