Aberlour gold hunter offers nuggets of wisdom in new book
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A RETIRED Speyside geography teacher has some nuggets of wisdom to offer in a new book for those who fancy turning gold prospector.
Gold hunter Alan Souter (77), from Aberlour's Chapel Terrace, first became fascinated by gold panning during his student days at Aberdeen University. The interest grew to become a lifelong quest for the former Banff Academy, Ellon Academy and Speyside High School teacher.
His book, Smitten by Gold: The Highs and Lows of Amateur Gold Panning, is part "how to" and part "how not to". It is an account of Alan’s and other gold seekers’ panning experiences both locally and further afield, and it conveys the lure of panning for gold and the rush of a find.
It's an addictive hobby, the author admits, full of joys and thrills in the great outdoors.
Though early prospectors were driven by the possibility of quick riches, and stories abound of fake finds and gold hunters staking out other prospectors, Alan said the excitement for him was just in finding the gold – and that size really didn't matter.
The author said he was "not in the big league" of gold prospectors, adding: "I get enjoyment from finding tiny specks that I can see from sediment under a microscope, especially from burns not thought to have gold present."
The former Portsoy Primary School and Buckie High School pupil helped run panning courses at the Museum of Leadmining at Wanlockhead, Dumfries and Galloway, for several years. He has panned in Colorado, Alaska and New Zealand.
Alan said the idea for his book came about after a conversation between two well-known British panners who felt that a lot of interesting stories were being lost as an older generation of panners died.
He said: "I started to record conversations with as many of them that cared to recount their experiences and found it matched mine in many ways."
In the book Alan examines how the pastime of gold hunting is viewed – from Bugs Bunny cartoons to TV reality shows, and how the press has handled stories of gold finds.
Another chapter deals with some "hard to swallow" stories of loss – from dogs literally eating hard-won nuggets to precious finds being vapourised through overheating.
Alan also provides a wealth of practical information on courses, how teaming up with experienced gold seekers can help to avoid pitfalls, and health and safety.
The author added: "The novice is given some clues as to how to find gold streams in a chapter on what I call 'armchair prospecting'.
"The novice is also given some help with deciding what to do with any gold they find – and it is made quite clear that this is not a hobby to make money!"
Alan's biggest find weighed 3.5g – but he hasn't finished searching yet.
The book, a mine of information, is priced at £13.95 and is published by Stenlake Publishing.
