The John Muir Way stretches 134miles or 215km across Scotland's heartland, running from coast to coast between Helensburgh in the west through to Dunbar in the east. It is named to mark the legacy of john muir ( 1838-1914) who was a pioneering and influential conservationist. He spent all his adult life in America but was born in Dunbar and sailed to America from Greenock. Muir dedicated his life to protecting wild places and he campaigned successfully for the establishment of national parks to safeguard vast tracts of wild lands, most notably Yosemite Valley in California.This walking route that bears his name reminds us that we can find the wild on our doorstep- we only have to look.
The John Muir Way takes you through all kinds of country and in this area thee is farmland and the familiar all around but there are still all kinds of simple treasures to find and enjoy.
We can treasure our natural world and people are not always a negative impact. Of particular value in this place, are the volunteers. Milton of Campsie railway station is a disused station that but it is no longer a disused place. Volunteers have been working hard to create a green and pleasant community space. This is not only good for people but it is good for wildlife. Disused railways provide green corridors for wildlife,making it possible for animals and plants to move about the countryside. This is especially important in populated and well- farmed areas like Campsie Parish. There is a serious intention but Milton of Campsie volunteers know how to have fun.