Muir to celebrate across the Central Belt

There are walks, music, school activities, canal cruises, wildlife activities and more across the new 134-mile, coast-to-coast path, which opened in April with a festival attracting more than 40,000 people.

Events include a ranger-led walk along the John Muir Way over the Croy and Barr Hills and along the Clyde canal on 4 May, a hunt for grassland mini-beasts with rangers at Preston Mill and Phantassie Doocot on 16 May, an all-abilities cycle ride from Musselburgh to Prestonpans on 18 May, walks to enjoy the spring flowers at Duchess Wood local nature reserve in Helensburgh on 24 May, a wildflower identification walk at Newhailes Estate in Musselburgh on 1 June, pond-dipping at Merkland local nature reserve in Kirkintilloch on 1 June, and two open weekends at Tors Garden to celebrate the Way launch on 10-11 May and 7-8 June.

As well, Quids in Theatre Company, with the support of Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), are performing a free promenade theatre show, Mad about Muir, celebrating the centennial of his John Muir's death in 1914. Twelve shows take place from May 11 to June 8 in six venues across the route: Balloch Park, Hill House in Helensburgh, Mugdock Country Park, Dirleton Castle, Callendar House, and Blackness Castle.

For more information on the community events in your area, see www.johnmuirway.org/events or for information about Mad about Muir, see www.quidsintheatrecompany.com/index.html .

The new 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, historic Linlithgow Palace, Roman hill forts on Antonine's Wall, and the unique Falkirk Wheel boat lift, among other highlights.

Ian Ross, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) chairman, said: "This route has been a long time in the planning and is now a very important resource for people of any ability or fitness living or visiting Scotland. 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 3 million people who live in the Central Belt to enjoy the outdoors every day by foot, bicycle, and even by horseback in some places. So why not let the Way' inspire you to get outdoors and get fit in 2014? It's a wonderful way to reduce stress and spend some time with your family and friends."

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 emigrating 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.

The new John Muir Way was developed by SNH and was the concept of the Central Scotland Green Network Partnership Board. It's designed to give people in the central belt the opportunity to engage with nature and gain a better understanding of Muir the man and his legacy.