John Muir Way
Dunbar is the start or end of the John Muir Way - a coast to coast national long-distance walking route (great for cycling too!) which stretches 134miles (215km) to Helensburgh in the west. The route crosses Scotland taking in a range of landscapes and enables users to discover a rich and varied heritage while getting up close to nature. There are 3 sections in East Lothian that link to many other paths – Edinburgh to Prestonpans, Prestonpans to North Berwick and North Berwick to Dunbar. Along the route there are 10 passport stations for you to visit where you can have your passport stamped to record your progress. Once you have completed the whole route and collected your stamps you can claim your free completer certificate. Not only does the passport make a great keepsake but it also unlocks special offers from businesses along the way.
The John Muir Way is named in honour of the renowned conservationist, environmentalist, and founder of America's National Parks, who was born in Dunbar in 1838. He emigrated to the USA with his family where his love of nature developed further. John Muir played a key part in saving Yosemite Valley and Sequoia National Park amongst others and founded the Sierra Club. The Club now has around 3.8 million members.
John Muir is internationally recognised as one of the most important and influential people in the areas of conservation and environment.
The New York Times described him as ‘one of the greatest thinkers of America’, and added ‘some inkling of the man's greatness and versatility can be gleaned from a glance at the names of the lasting friends he made among the great men of the country. The most intimate of these included several presidents, among them Taft, Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson.’
His legacy and teachings resonate today as the importance of the wellbeing of the planet and the natural environment are at the forefront of global concerns. The John Muir Way opened in 2014 to mark the centenary of John Muir’s death.
You can find out about this remarkable man’s life and legacy when you visit John Muir’s Birthplace Museum.
For more details on the route please visit johnmuirway.org
A new Accessibility Guide to the John Muir Way is now available. All ten sections of the coast to coast route were audited and a series of storymaps produced. These provide a step by step guide to the accessibility of the John Muir Way and have been produced to help anyone interested in using the route to assess for themselves which sections are suitable for their intended use, level of fitness and physical mobility. The maps and notes are equally relevant to walkers, cyclists, horse riders, people using mobility aids, wheelchairs or pushing buggies. Locations of features that may restrict accessibility, or which most people would struggle to negotiate with a wheelchair or horse, are identified on the maps.
You can also find links to each section's storymap within each of the ten Route section pages.
John Muir Way Blog Posts
In her charmingly whimsical depictions of East Lothian seaside life, local artist Rachel Marshall produces a range of prints, cards and other souvenirs of East Lothian and now has a new shop on North Berwick High Street 🎨 @bonzoart
#eastlothian #visiteastlothian #eastlothianlife #loveeastlothian #localartist #seasideliving
🌳Amisfield Walled Garden from the air in all its glorious symmetry. The Garden is taking part in Doors Open Days this weekend with the opportunity to help make fresh apple juice from their orchard 🍎 @doorsopendays
📍EH41 3TE
📷Rob McDougall
#amisfieldwalledgarden #doorsopendayeastlothian #plantlover #eastlothian #visiteastlothian #garden #flowers #orchard
East Lothian is an amazing place to forage, claiming all the habitats you could want for full baskets and bellies. Much of the fun is in the hunt so while this guide written by Rupert Waites of Buck and Birch won`t give you pinpoint directions, here are five habitats and things you might find in them at this time of year. As ever don`t eat anything you aren`t 100% sure of and only pick what you will use. Let the wild back in and reap the rewards. Follow @buckandbirch for more flavour adventures.
#buckandbirch #foraging #onyourdoorstep #foragedfood #eastlothian #visiteastlothian #loveeastlothian #foodinspo
Two days of flat racing at Musselburgh Racecourse mark the end of the summer season with the Gold Cup Family Day open to all fledgling superheroes on Sunday 17th September. There will be free kids rides and superhero shows, prizes for the best dressed superhero or character, bubbles and the ever-popular face painting, all included with the entry ticket.
Find out more at: www.musselburgh-racecourse.co.uk/view-fixture/afternoon-meeting-17-09-23
#visiteastlothian #eastlothian #musselburghraces #horseracinguk #familyfun #musselburgh
If Dunbar Music Festival isn`t on your radar yet, we`d advise you check it out now! Headline acts Calum Easter and Gruff Rhys may be sold out but there`s plenty to enjoy with over 40 free gigs taking place across 16 venues from 22-24 September, www.dunbarmusicfestival.co.uk
And if you`re looking for some fun this weekend....
🎻 Festival, world-class concerts in beautiful venues around East Lothian, various dates and times, www.lammermuirfestival.co.uk
🎭 Part stand-up, part confessional, The Gilded Balloon presents Lyn Ferguson`s Storyland, Sat 16ths Sep, Loretto School, www.thebrunton.online.red61.co.uk/event/2814:87/2814:122/
🐈Feline fans unite, Cat Show, Queen Margaret University, Sat 16th Sep, www.eescc.sumupstore.com
#visiteastlothian #eastlothian #musicfestival #livemusic #freegigs #dunbar #lammermuirfestival #classicalmusic #catlovers #standup #TheBrunton #musselburgh @edinburghcatclub
Each year the Green Tourism Award is given to businesses who have made a significant effort to reduce their environmental impact, helping our county be a responsible and sustainable destination 🌏 New recipients in East Lothian this year are luxury lodge resort @whitekirk_hill_ and e-bike hire / tour company @ezeeridersscot
#responsibletourism #respectprotectenjoy #eastlothian #visiteastlothian #loveeastlothian #sustainabletourism #ecoconscious #whitekirkhill #ezeeriders
This Saturday sees the anniversary of the Battle of Prestonpans and there are two events planned as part of East Lothian Archaeology and Heritage Fortnight:
⚔️A guided walking tour of the Prestonpans battlefield with Dr Arran Johnston, visiting many of the key areas and monuments, including Tranent churchyard, the Memorial Tables and the viewpoint pyramid. 10am to 12pm📍EH33 1LZ. Not suitable for wheelchairs. Booking advised.
🛡The Jacobite Museum will hold its Family Day where you can make a Jacobite shield, add colourful characters to their Highland Charge collage, and even pose for a portrait in 18th century style. Free admission, drop-in. 11am to 4pm📍EH32 9AY
📷 Tony Marsh
#archaeology #heritage #eastlothian #battleofprestonpans #battlefield #jacobiterebellion #visiteastlothian
Scottish Food & Drink Fortnight is in its second week and the theme is `discover what`s on your doorstep`. East Lothian has a rich larder and here are some of the businesses bringing great flavour to our plates and palates!
Find the full directory of East Lothian Food & Drink champions at @eastlothianfoodanddrink
#ScotFoodFort23 #discoverwhatonyourdoorstep #supportlocal #eastlothianfoodanddrink #eastlothianfoodie #madeineastlothian
The biggest wakeboarding event of the year is happening on Saturday 23rd September at Foxlake Adventures. Supported by Red Bull, there will be Junior and Open competitions, lakeside DJs, bars and food trucks and big prize giveaways.
Come and watch from just £3
📍EH42 1XF
https://www.citizenticket.com/events/citizen-live/jibfest-2023/
Citizen Ticket
#eastlothian #visiteastlothian #adventuresports #wakeboarding #watersports #watersportscotland #wakeboardingscotland #dunbar #foxlake #redbulluk
Bringing world-class classical music to communities across East Lothian, The Lammermuir Festival is "...a local festival, rooted in its community, but with big ideas that go way beyond" according to The Times. With concerts and events taking place from 7th - 18th September in the stunning churches and halls of the towns and villages nestling between the Lammermuir Hills and the sea, the packed programme is a treat for both visual and aural senses.
www.lammermuirfestival.co.uk
#LammermuirFestival #VisitEastLothian #EastLothian #Haddington #Prestonpans #Musselburgh #Dunbar #Aberlady #Garvald #Stenton #classicalmusic
Dunbar became Scotland`s first zero-waste town, diverting over 30 tonnes of landfill to what has become a hugely popular re-use hub in the centre of the town where you can find your own treasure from someone else`s trash. Open daily 📍 EH42 1DX
#zerowasteweek #dunbarzerowaste #reusehub #reuserecycle #preloved #eastlothian
In his next post, local history enthusiast Ian Ebbage discusses the importance of tolbooths. Important buildings for the administration of medieval burghs, they served as meeting places for the council, courts of law, prisons and sometimes places of public punishment. East Lothian has some fine examples of these buildings, though none of the surviving buildings date to the medieval period.
#tolbooth #townhouse #councilbuilding #historicalbuilding #localhistory #eastlothian #visiteastlothian #placeofinterest
Step into Wondrous Woods, an exciting new outdoor illuminated adventure through the magnificent grounds of Gosford House. Follow a 1.5km trail through beautifully lit woodland paths and encounter magical creatures along the way. Tickets are now on sale for weekend dates from 27th October until 19th November. Find out more: https://www.wondrouswoods.com/
#VisitEastLothian #EastLothian #WondrousWoods #GosfordHouse #Woody #WoodyandFriends #IlluminatedAdventure #LightingTrail #InteractiveLighting
#SomethingfortheWeekend leads us this week to...
🎵 Hops In The Garden, Archerfield Walled Garden, Sat 2nd Sep, 1pm-11pm
A fun-filled music and food festival with kid`s activities in support of local charity Leuchie House.
https://www.leuchiehouse.org.uk/our.../hops-in-the-garden
🏰East Lothian Archaeology & Heritage Fortnight, from 2nd Sep, various dates, times & locations.
Discover something new about East Lothian`s rich local history through walks, talks, exhibitions, workshops and excavations - taking place around the county.
https://www.johngraycentre.org/about/archaeology/archaeology-events/east-lothian-archaeology-heritage-fortnight/archaeology-fortnight-2023-events/
#visiteastlothian #scottishhistory #festivāls #hopsinthegarden #eastlothian #johngraycentre #localhistory
What does a carved pumpkin celebrate? 🎃 Hollow-een...
And Balgone Estate, East Links Family Park and Kilduff Farm are all getting ready to celebrate Halloween with bookings open NOW for their pumpkin festivals.
🎃 Scotland`s largest pumpkin patch at Balgone Estate will have over 50,000 pumpkins to pick, as well as a haunted trail and food and drink vendors. Open 14th-29th October (select dates) 👉 @balgone_estate
🎃 From 14th-31st October, every child gets a free pumpkin with an entry ticket to East Links and there are fancy dress prizes, Halloween hunts and more 👉 @eastlinksfamilypark
🎃 Kilduff Farm`s pumpkin patch (pictured) will open from the 13th to the 30th October (select dates) 👉 @kilduff_farm
📷 Tom Duffin
#pumpkinpicking #pumpkincarving #halloween #pumpkinfestival #eastlothian #familyfun #kidsactivities #familydayout #visiteastlothian
The Isle of May is having an Open Doors Weekend this weekend (2nd and 3rd September)! This allows visitors to go into the buildings that are usually closed to the public. Ensure you don`t miss out on this unique experience by booking onto one of The Scottish Seabird Centre`s Isle of May landing trips 🗝 More information @seabirdcentre 📷 Amelia Le Brun
#doorsopendays #doorsopenscotland #behindcloseddoors #eastlothian #visiteastlothian #isleofmay #landingtrip
Sit and enjoy some very special surroundings on these pews with views.
Thanks to East Lothian Ladies` members for suggesting their favourite spots. Do you have a bench in East Lothian where you love to spend some precious time? Let us know in the comments!
#pewwithaview #benchwithaview #eastlothian #favouriteplacetosit #loveeastlothian #visiteastlothian #specialplace
The Lammermuir Festival was established in 2010 to bring together the finest musicians with local people and visitors in a celebration of music in towns and villages nestling between the Lammermuir Hills and the sea. This year`s programme features Scottish Opera and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra (7-18 September)
#visiteastlothian #eastlothian #loveeastlothian #lammermuirfestival #liveperformance #classicalmusic
🍴The final event in the Archerfield Walled Garden Summer Street Food series is this Saturday, 12-5pm. On the menu The Barn Kitchen burgers, @slumdogdelivered Indian street food, @seri.ouslydough doughnuts, Van Dough wood-fired pizzas and @wizardeventcatering sweet-loaded crêpes!
🥾👟East Lothian`s festival of walking and wheeling is back with eight days of guided walks for all ages and abilities (short, half or full-day and accessible) as well as themed photography, history and geology walks. Check out the full programme 👉 @elwalkfest
#whatson #eastlothian #thisweekend #visiteastlothian #streetfoodlovers #walkfest23