Plans to create new long distance John Muir Way

The Central Scotland Green Network has revealed plans to create a new long-distance John Muir Way in time for the John Muir centenary in 2014.

The Central Scotland Network, working with Scottish Natural Heritage, has revealed plans for a new John Muir Way, to be created for the centenary of the death of John Muir in 2014. If the project goes ahead, the existing John Muir Way in East Lothian would be extended to run from Dunbar through central Scotland to Helensburgh.

An economic benefits study by the CSN has shown that the new trail could attract attract 9,000 walkers per year and create 700 jobs in its first year. Richard Broadley, environmental co-ordinator at Falkirk Council, said: '

It's overnight bed stays, it's getting people to maybe come to areas they haven't been to before. Linking the path to some of our existing attractions, where there are facilities that people need, complements the council's tourism action plan. Certainly, this John Muir Way proposal chimes well with that.'

Environmentalist John Muir, who was born in Scotland and emigrated to America, is known as the 'father of the national park' for his pioneering work in creating America's national parks. East Lothian Council is working on plans to mark the 2014 centenary with a special John Muir Day on 21 April, a day already celebrated in California.

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