Celebrations to mark the second anniversary of the launch of the John Muir Way kick off this weekend.
Events, including talks, walks and open days, are taking across the central belt, including the Bo’ness and Blackness areas.
Local events include a walk from Kinneil House in Bo’ness to Blackness Castle on Saturday, April 16 (leaving at 1.30 p.m.); a Meadows Discovery Day at Kinneil Foreshore on April 21; and a weekend celebrating James Watt at Kinneil House on April 23 and 24. The John Muir goes right past Watt’s former cottage workshop at Kinneil.
More details are now online at www.kinneil.org.uk
The John Muir Way was launched in 2014. It runs more than 130 miles from Helensburgh, right through Falkirk district, to Dunbar, the birthplace of John Muir. Muir is the famous environmentalist who is often described as the “father” of America’s national parks.
Malcolm Roughead, chief executive of VisitScotland, said: “The John Muir Way is a fantastic way to savour the Central Belt’s magnificent views, taking in some of the best of Scotland’s natural and cultural heritage. This exciting programme of events looks set to celebrate the second anniversary of the walking route in style . . . .”
Ian Ross, the chairman of Scottish Natural Heritage, said: “Many people have enjoyed walking and cycling the John Muir Way since it opened in 2014, with over 60,000 visitors a year. It’s a wonderful resource for people of any ability or fitness. You can walk a mile along the route near where you live – or walk the entire 134 miles. The route is an easy and enjoyable way for the three million people who live in the Central Belt to enjoy the outdoors.”
You can also read the full news release on the celebrations and information on events on the SNH website:
ABOUT THE JOHN MUIR WAY
The John Muir Way boasts some of the most beautiful coastal scenery, sweeping landscapes, wildlife sites and historic visitor attractions across Scotland’s heartland. Walkers, cyclists and horse riders can enjoy the rocky coasts of East Lothian where Muir played as a child, the dramatic Blackness Castle on the Forth, Roman hill forts on Antonine Wall, and the unique Falkirk Wheel boat lift, among other highlights.
The route is way-marked with John Muir Way signs, and a website (johnmuirway.org), book, leaflets and map will give people all the information they need to complete all or part of the trail.
John Muir was born in Dunbar in 1838, before emmigrating to the United States in 1849. He helped save the Yosemite Valley in California, was a co-founder of The Sierra Club – one of the most influential grassroots environmental organisations in the USA – and successfully campaigned for national parks in America.
Conceived by Keith Geddes of Central Scotland Green Network Trust (CSGNT), John Muir Way was planned and developed by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) with Sustrans, Sportscotland, Forestry Commission Scotland and Local Authorities as key funders, and with support from CSGNT and Scottish Government.
Kinneil 
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