A Beer, A Bap and A Boffin:

Atoms of Delight

Essays presented by Highland Perthsire Author, Kenneth Steven

Atoms of Delight comprises ten essays inspired by the natural world.

It takes its title from the great author Neil Gunn, who believed that all of us are given a handful of ‘atoms of delight’ in our lives: great moments of experience that stay with us forever.

Kenneth’s book describes ten pilgrimages in nature, several from Highland Perthshire: climbing to high lochs in quiet to encounter black and red throated divers; discovering hidden river pools in summer for swimming; walking to St Columba’s Bay at the south end of Iona to find serpentine pebbles.

When presenting the book Kenneth offers the greater story of the experience surrounding each essay. He values engaging with audiences and seeks always to answer the questions he’s asked with sincerity and with humour too.

Presented in collaboration with The Royal Society of Edinburgh.

The Royal Society of Edinburgh recognises, supports, and mobilises expertise from across academia, business, and public service for the benefit of Scotland and the wider world. As Scotland’s National Academy, we use the combined knowledge of our 1,800-strong Fellowship to provide independent expert advice to policymakers and inspire the next generation of innovative thinkers.

Highland Perthshire Author, Kenneth Steven

Kenneth had the privilege of being brought up in Perthshire, in Crieff and then Aberfeldy. He knew the house where one of the last pearlfishers lived; he remembers speaking with the last Gaelic speaker from Glenlyon. And he had the privilege of being taken out into wildscape weekend after weekend by writer parents who knew and loved every part of the great outdoors. Story became important to him; the stories of those who lived in extraordinary places, who knew about the ghosts in certain castles or the wildcats inhabiting particular glens. It felt natural wanting to write himself: stories and then poems. His first book of poems was entitled The Missing Days and was composed of poems inspired by Highland Perthshire. His first novel was Dan, the story of the last day in the life of a crofter from Glenlyon. But he’s always felt writing to be a bi-product of living: it’s borne out of experience. As time went on Kenneth diversified as an author, in part out of the need to survive from a freelance existence: he wrote and had published his first book for children, started leading writing events for schools and for groups. Now he and his wife Kristina live on the Isle of Seil south of Oban, and these days he’s working as much with non-fiction as anything else. He’s written and presented numerous features and essays for BBC Radio; he and Kristina have led many retreats on the Isle of Iona. Kenneth sends out a monthly podcast on the Patreon platform, inspired by his love of Iona and the Celtic Christian path. Much of the writing for adults and youngsters these days is derived from a passion for Scotland’s nature and its preservation. He travels widely to give talks, readings and lead workshops.