The disclosure relates to a magnetic separating device for isolating magnetically labelled particles from a non-magnetic medium comprising a body portion (1) having a magnetising portion (3) for providing a magnetic field and a surface by means of which the body portion may stand on a supporting surface; and a sample vessel retaining portion (4) for retaining at least one sample vessel (5), wherein, the magnetising portion (3) is configured to conform at least approximately to at least a substantial portion of the longitudinal profile of at least one sample vessel (5); the sample vessel retaining portion (4) is configured to retain at least one sample vessel (5) such that at least a portion of the contents of the sample vessel (5) is visible to a user; and the sample vessel retaining portion (4) is configured to be mountable on the magnetising portion so that in use, the at least one sample vessel is subject to the magnetic field of the magnetising portion (3). The disclosure further relates to a kit of parts and a method for isolating magnetically labelled particles from a non-magnetic medium using the magnetic separation device.