We could hardly have had a more fitting way to mark Independent Bookshop Week 2026 and the arrival of the summer solstice than by welcoming Fiona Robertson, who’s writing so beautifully brings together landscape, memory and meaning. After Dominic welcomed everyone and introduce Fiona alongside our wonderful chair for the evening, Tracey Norman, it was clear from the outset that we were in for something special.

Fiona drew us into the powerful world of Britain’s standing stones, reading from her acclaimed book Stone Lands, an enchanting memoir that explores both ancient landscapes and the deeply human experiences of grief, love and hope. Her reflections reminded us that these stones, set upright thousands of years ago, are enduring symbols of survival, mystery and community are markers in the landscape that continue to resonate across generations.

In conversation with Tracey, Fiona guided us through some of the most evocative sites in the country. From the vast complexity of the stone circles at Avebury to the haunting beauty of the Cornish peninsula and the extraordinary Callanish stones in Scotland, each place came alive through story and insight. The discussion ranged from archaeology to folklore, from the practical realities of stone circles being dismantled and rebuilt, to the myths that have grown around them—tales of kings turned to stone, sheep transformed at solstice, and golden rewards forever just out of reach.

Closer to home, Dartmoor took centre stage, with Fiona sharing her deep affection for sites such as Down Tor and the Grey Wethers at Fernworthy. Her descriptions of midsummer alignments and shadow-casting stones carried a quiet sense of wonder, particularly as we gathered on the very cusp of the solstice itself. These landscapes, she suggested, are not just relics of the past but living places of imagination, reflection and connection which are perfect for stargazing, storytelling and simply being.

The evening was enriched further by the presence of Rebecca Holey, whose striking textile work she had set up for all to admire. We learnt that she had handcrafted her incredible ‘Batworthy’ rug from recycled materials, which offered us all a contemporary artistic response to these ancient forms. Much like Fiona’s writing, it was a reminder of how creativity continues to echo and reinterpret what has come before.

As Fiona and Tracey brought the conversation towards a close, what lingered most strongly was a shared sense of hope. The stones, we were reminded, were shaped and raised through collective effort, often in the face of immense challenge. They stand as a testament to resilience, to human connection, and to the possibility of enduring through hardship.

A lively audience discussion and book signing followed, before Dominic closed the evening with warm wishes for the solstice—sending everyone out into the long light of midsummer carrying stories of myth, landscape and renewal. It was, in every sense, a celebration: of books, of place, and of the quiet, steadfast magic that links us all.