Stone Lands by Fiona Robertson

Submitted by Andy B on Friday, 23 January 2026 Page Views: 5756

Stone Lands by our friend Fiona Robertson is up for Current Archaeology Book of the Year (Congratulations!) - you might like to vote for it here. Also an evening with Fiona and the very nice geologist and author Anjana Khatwa ( book details, video ) in Bridport on the 27th Feb. Fiona was executive Editor on The Old Stones and our book wouldn't have happened without her drive, knowledge and enthusiasm. Fiona has come up with something extraordinary again here.

To me Prof. Josh Pollard sums up Stone Lands best: ‘Written with great craft, sensitivity and authority, Fiona Robertson offers a wonderfully evocative, and at times deeply personal and poignant, account of the ancient sites and landscapes of Britain.'

Josh continues: 'There is a resonance here to artists and writers such as Nash, Ravilious and Blake, and that tradition of deeply embedded landscape romanticism and sense of place that runs through our engagement with traces of a prehistoric past.’

Fiona meets many interesting characters on her journey, including our very own Andy B who also served as Archaeology Editor on Stone Lands.

Journeying across Britain, from West Penwith and Avebury to the Lake District and Orkney, Stone Lands uncovers the magic and rich history of our incredible prehistoric standing stones. It conveys the delight that lies in tracking them down, as well as the solace these ancient places offer in times of darkness.

'Forget The Salt Path – this tale of Britain’s ancient stone sites is superb' - The Telegraph (ha ha take that Salt Path - MegP Ed]

'There's a real sense of peace and magic in this beautiful book' Daisy Buchanan

'Utterly endearing' Dr James Canton

Fiona began to write this book a few months after discovering that her beloved husband, Stephen, had incurable cancer. A long-time megalith enthusiast, she found the ancient stones resonated with her more profoundly than ever as she faced the prospect of losing him. Set upright thousands of years ago, megaliths are symbols of endurance and survival, standing in contrast to our ephemeral human lives. Infused with folklore, legend and mystery, they enchant the landscape and bring magic to our modern world.

This enthralling memoir is woven delicately around great grief but is ultimately about embracing life, joy and ancient wonder - a luminous reminder of what it means to exist on this earth.

Stone Lands is beautifully illustrated inside with stunning black and white line drawings by the illustrator and printmaker Philip Harris http://www.philipharrisillustration.com

'A reminder that the ancient stones can be sources of reassurance and solidity, even in our times of greatest upheaval and loss' Angeline Morrison

Stone Lands is available from any good bookshop, Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com.

Events

An Evening with Anjana Khatwa and Fiona Robertson
Friday 27th February 2026
18:00 at Waterstones, Bridport , Dorset
Free entry - not clear currently if you need a ticket but details are here;
http://www.waterstones.com/events/an-evening-with-anjana-khatwa-and-fiona-robertson/bridport

Past Events

Wed 17th Sept, Gloucester History Festival

Saturday 26th September, Chelsea History Festival

Friday 3rd Oct, Lincoln History Festival

Thursday 16th October, Kirkdale Bookshop, London SE26 4RS

Monday 1st September, Stone Club, The Social, London

Saturday 23rd August - Archway bookshop event at The Waffle House, Axminster, Devon

Wednesday 30th July - Waterstones, Canterbury

Glastonbury Symposium, Glastonbury Town Hall - 'What Is It About Standing Stones?'

Friday 11th July - Edge of the World Bookshop, Penzance

4 July: Watkins Bookshop, London

24 June The Farm at Avebury: A Midsummer evening talk & walk - enjoy a glass of wine and nibbles as Fiona starts the evening telling us about her book, before we head out for a walk in the Avebury landscape, including West Kennet Long Barrow. Andy B, Megalithic Portal Editor joined Fiona at this exclusive launch event which included a signed copy of the book.

Stone Lands is available from any good bookshop, Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com.

COMPETITION NOW CLOSED
Win a signed copy - to enter just email Andy B with the name of any of the prehistoric sites in the Avebury complex. [email protected] - you MUST put the following Subject line in your email to be eligible: Stone Lands Competition. This prize will be drawn on the 1st July 2025. Good luck, and read on for more about the book, including launch events.

We had 5 signed copies of Stone Lands to give away - one for readers of our email newsletter (register here and tick the box to join), one for contributory (society) members, and others for our social media followers. Social media and members' competitions now drawn - details here.

Contributor Bio for Andy B: Megalithic Portal Founding Editor.