In Search of Gems

An evocative journey through geology and landscape, seen through the eyes of one of Scotland’s most beloved poets and storytellers.
Blending lyrical prose with personal reflection, Kenneth Steven explores mountains and glens, rivers and rugged coasts in search of gemstones, rocks and crystals. He discovers gold glinting in Highland burns, agates nestling in riverbeds, and aquamarines, amethysts, garnets, amber and pearls in wild places where others rarely roam.
Beguiled by their forms, colors, textures and sometimes glittering brilliance, he finds the thrill of unearthing natural riches more precious and delightful even than the gems themselves. Stone by stone, he considers the origins and allure of these treasures, revealing not only their geological stories but their place in history and imagination.
Steven’s deep connection to the land shines through as he interprets the meaning and magic, inviting readers to see both the landscape and its hidden gems with fresh wonder. This book is a celebration of Scotland’s rugged beauty and the quiet, enduring fascination of its rocks and gemstones.

Kenneth Steven is a widely acclaimed poet, novelist and children’s writer who has published more than 25 books. His BBC Radio 4 documentary on the island of St Kilda won him a Sony Award, and he has contributed several series of spoken-word pieces for the BBC Radio 3 programme The Essay. His novel The Well of the North Wind (SPCK, 2016) was a spiritual tale set on 6th-century Iona, and 2020 was longlisted for The Portico Prize. His non-fiction book Beneath the Ice (Saraband, 2016) tells the story of the Arctic Sami people. Another collection of essays describing contemporary pilgrimages in nature, Atoms of Delight, can also be found in the In the Moment series.