This new long distance path stretches from coast to coast across Scotland, passing through the varied landscapes of the central belt. The route is named after the Dunbar-born conservationist John Muir, who emigrated to America whilst still a boy and became the father of the American National Parks and a key figure in the conservation movement; it opened in 2014 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Muir's death.
The route reverses Muir's steps from Helensburgh on the west coast - from where he boarded ship and set sail for America - back to his birthplace, Dunbar in East Lothian. It begins with a walk over the hills to reach the fabulous landscapes of Loch Lomond. It then follows old minor roads and disused railway lines to traverse the rural, farming landscapes in the shadow of the Campsie Fells. Eventually it picks up the route of the Forth and Clyde canal, following the towpath through the mix of industrial and urban landscapes at heart of Scotland with occasional diversions from the water to visit significant sites along the Antonine Wall. After the ancient town of Linlithgow it strikes north to reach the Forth at Bo'ness, and then follows this along the coast beneath the Forth Bridge and on to Edinburgh. It passes through the fringes of Scotland's capital before returning to the coastline as it heads into the more rural landscapes of East Lothian, before finally ending at Muir's birthplace, Dunbar.
Note that the new John Muir Way replaces - and incorporates most of - the former route of the same name which traversed East Lothian. We've included an extension to the easternmost extremity of East Lothian to enable a link to be made with the Berwickshire Coastal Path and the Southern Upland Way.
Stage descriptions | Length | Time | Done |
---|---|---|---|
1: Helensburgh to Balloch | 14.5km | 4-4½ hours | |
2: Balloch to Strathblane | 29km | 7-9 hours | |
3: Strathblane to Croy | 20.75km | 5-6 hours | |
4: Croy to Falkirk | 20km | 5-6 hours | |
5: Falkirk to Linlithgow | 15km | 4-5 hours | |
6: Linlithgow to South Queensferry | 24km | 6-7½ hours | |
7: South Queensferry to Edinburgh | 25km | 6.5-7½ hours | |
8: Edinburgh to Prestonpans | 15.75km | 4-4½ hours | |
9: Prestonpans to North Berwick | 25km | 6-7½ hours | |
10: North Berwick to Dunbar | 23km | 5-5½ hours | |
John Muir Link: Dunbar to Cocksburnpath |
16km | 4½-5 hours |
The route is waymarked and offers fairly straightforward walking throughout, with some steeper sections.
Click to find organised John Muir Way walking holiday packages and baggage transfer providers
.As it runs through the central belt, much of the John Muir Way passes through a series of towns and villages, with services and accommodation available.
Helensburgh and Balloch both offer a choice of hotel and bed and breakfast accommodation, as well as shops for supplies.
Late in the second stage the route runs through Auchineden Estate, where there is hostel accommodation and a cafe at Edenmill. Strathblane, Lennoxtown and Milton of Campsie offer shops as well as places to stay and eat.
There is limited accommodation near Croy, with links to Kilsyth. The route then links up a series of towns, all of which provide full facilities - Falkirk, Linlithgow, Bo'ness and South Queensferry.
The route runs through much of Edinburgh although it avoids the central area; a short detour from the Meadows leads to plentiful hotels and all services.
Musselburgh, an ancient town though now so close to the fringe of Edinburgh. As would be expected, it offers shopping and a range of accommodation; it's also easy to reach from Edinburgh or Leith.
Accommodation in Prestonpans, Cockenzie and Port Seton is more limited, but there is bed and breakfast available - as well as good public transport links back to Edinburgh.
Aberlady has both a hotel and inn, whilst Gullane has a further choice.
North Berwick is a town with all services, including a choice of B&B and hotels.
The next stage is a long one, though East Linton offers both accommodation and shops and offers a chance to break the journey.
Journey's end is reached at the town of Dunbar, again offering a choice of both hotels and guest houses as well as shops for supplies.
The John Muir Way is generally well served by public transport links.
Helensburgh and Balloch both have train as well as bus links to Glasgow. Strathblane, Lennoxtown, Milton of Campsie and Kirkintilloch all have bus services; there is a railway station at Croy.
Bonnybridge is well served by buses, and more rail stations is passed at Falkirk High and Polmont.
Linlithgow has regular rail services as well as buses, whilst Bo'ness is well served by bus. South Queensferry is served by Dalmeny Station with regular trains between Edinburgh and Glenrothes.
Edinburgh obviously has excellent public transport. Musselburgh, Prestonpans, Longniddry, North Berwick, East Linton and Dunbar are all served by rail from Edinburgh.
There is also a FirstGroup service that runs from Edinburgh via Musselburgh, Prestonpans, Longniddry, Aberlady and Gullane to North Berwick. A second service links Edinburgh to Dunbar, via East Linton.
Timetables for all the routes can be found on Traveline Scotland.
There are 358 Walkhighlanders who have completed the John Muir Way. To record if you have completed the route, you must register and be logged in. Our users have contributed 16 public walk reports for the route. These are ordered below with the most popular ones first.
Title | Author | Date walked | Likes |
---|---|---|---|
John Muir Way - Might be Better by Bike | Gordie12 | 06/05/2017 | 9 |
John Muir Way: Dunbar - North Berwick | Ettrick Shepherd | 18/05/2019 | 5 |
John Muir Way | nigheandonn | 13/06/2012 | 5 |
John Muir Way Stage 1 | tomyboy73 | 12/04/2014 | 4 |
New John Muir Way - Bonnybridge to Lennoxtown | nigheandonn | 11/02/2024 | 3 |
Duddingston and the Innocent Railway | nigheandonn | 19/11/2020 | 3 |
John Muir Way: Falkirk to Croy | Ettrick Shepherd | 07/01/2022 | 2 |
Return to the John Muir Way (North Berwick - Falkirk) | Ettrick Shepherd | 14/09/2020 | 2 |
John Muir Way east to west: A work in progress | nitamiriam | 14/07/2019 | 2 |
February Review | jschon | 09/02/2014 | 2 |
Another scrap of the John Muir Way | nigheandonn | 06/06/2020 | 1 |
Part 9a | POSR | 12/06/2023 | 0 |
John Muir way by bike | SnoopyG | 09/10/2021 | 0 |
First leg of John Muir Way | iancgcampbell | 27/01/2014 | 0 |
Blackness to Bo'ness on the John Muir Way | lizintransit | 29/03/2014 | 0 |
North Berwick to Dunbar | buttermere4 | 13/04/2013 | 0 |
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