It was 100 years ago today that the famous Scots-born naturalist John Muir died. Yet his life and work has been remembered even more vividly by thousands of people in Scotland this past year after the opening of the 134-mile John Muir Way. This week, the creators of Scotland’s newest long-distance trail, which travels from the west to the east coasts, reported that the route has quickly become a firm favourite among outdoors fans Launched in April, the John Muir Way has welcomed many thousands of walkers and cyclists travelling sections of the route, or the entire distance, between Helensburgh in Argyll and Dunbar, in East Lothian. Keith Geddes is chairman of the Central Scotland Green Network and also played a key role in the opening of the John Muir Way. He is reported as saying: “There's been something like 35,000 individuals using the John Muir Way website and most of them have been downloading maps for walking the route. "There's also been a 25 per cent increase in visitors to the John Muir Birthplace museum in Dunbar so there's evidence that it's starting to take off."

Story behind the John Muir Way

Muir lived his early childhood in Dunbar, although he left Scotland for America aged 11. He went on to become one of the most influential figures in the history of the environmental movement and a national hero in the US. He is known as the father of America’s national parks. The John Muir Way was created to highlight Muir’s life and to offer walkers and cyclists a fabulous trail across the width of Scotland. [caption id="attachment_13260" align="alignright" width="372"] John Muir Way - Sign to Balloch or Helensburgh[/caption] The route officially begins in Helensburgh, Argyll, from where Muir set sail for America, and continues to Falkirk, Linlithgow, and Edinburgh, before finishing at his birthplace in Dunbar.

John Muir Way walking holiday

It’s possible to enjoy a 12-day walking holiday on the John Muir Way with Macs Adventure. Highlights include hiking through Scotland’s beautiful yet easily accessible heartland on mostly easy-going paths, including the flat towpaths of the Forth & Clyde and a section of the West Highland Way. Attractions to take in along the way include stunning views of mountains and lochs, the iconic Falkirk Wheel and Scotland’s capital city of Edinburgh.