John Muir’s Dunbar

Explore John Muir’s Dunbar! Either purchase John Muir’s Dunbar, a Town Trail booklet, from John Muir’s Birthplace, the Scottish Seabird Centre and other local retailers for £3.50 for self-guided exploration or book a place with a volunteer guide or member of staff from John Muir’s Birthplace. Contact details are on our home page.

Wilderness Scotland

Journeys in the footsteps of John Muir

Leading Scottish tour operator Wilderness Scotland has created an imaginative walking and hiking tour following in the footsteps of John Muir on his own 1893 homecoming journey through Scotland. The tour, which features accommodation in charming country inns and hotels, is available at any time of year for 2 or more travellers and may be customised to suit individual interests and hiking abilities.

Wherever a Scotsman goes... John Muir and Robert Burns

An exhibition celebrating the culture and heritage of two of Scotland’s great sons, comparing their background, childhood, love of sharing stories with others, and similarities in writing style.

Opening hours are on our home page. Admission free.

The Big Picnic

The official launch of the John Muir Odyssey will begin with The Big Picnic on 21st April to celebrate John Muir's birthday, when children will be encouraged to get out and about on a 'Get Back to Nature' Treasure Trail. Details to follow.

Great Scots Walking Festival

The Great Scots Walking Festival will take place across East Lothian following in the footsteps of some of our great Scots, such as Robert Louis Stevenson, Sir Walter Scott and John Muir, passing along sections of the mainly coastal John Muir Way through wild flower woodlands, past historic landmarks and villages, and into the Lammermuir Hills.

Places are limited and pre-booking is essential to secure a place. Tickets will be on sale in the Spring from the Brunton Theatre Box Office, Musselburgh, at £5 each, telephone +44 (0) 131 665 2240.

Creative Visions of Nature

Works of art and sculpture on the theme of the natural world feature in this exhibition at the Seabird Centre from 24th April to 26th July. Entry is included with admission to the Seabird Centre. Please call +44 (0)1620 890202 or email info@seabird.org for more information.

The Shindig

The Shindig  - real Scottish Ceilidh at the Harbour.

Enjoy a real Scottish Ceilidh, The Shindig featuring live Ceilidh Band, at North Berwick Harbour on the evening of Friday 1st May.

Tickets cost £10 and must be booked in advance. The price includes traditional Scottish canapés and a whisky tasting. Please call +44 (0) 1620 890202, email info@seabird.org or visit the Seabird Centre for more information and to book.

VIP Launch Reception

The VIP Launch Reception will also take place at the Harbour, in the Seabird Centre on Friday night 1st May.

Muir's World by Land and Sea

Experience the breathtaking spectacles of coast and countryside that inspired John Muir.  Boat excursions, with a knowledgeable and experienced guide, will sail from North Berwick and Dunbar harbours around the islands of the Firth of Forth. The trip will include the world famous Bass Rock and its gannets and the puffin islands of Fidra and Craigleith as well as the stunning coastline of East Lothian and our spectacular seabirds and wildlife.

Then venture onto land for a guided walking tour of Dunbar, including a visit to John Muir's Birthplace, and discover the footsteps of the boy who went on to 'make the mountains glad'. 

Walking tours are free of charge. Boat trips will be charged. Places on both boat and walking tours are limited and must be pre-booked. Please call +44 (0)1620 890202, email info@seabird.org or visit the Seabird Centre for more information.

Our Wee Planet

Our Wee Planet is a 3-day festival at the Scottish Seabird Centre, North Berwick, celebrating the wonderful natural world that inspired John Muir.

The festival runs from Saturday 2nd to Monday 4th May. Highlights of Our Wee Planet will be Scottish music and dance, guided beach walks, boat trips and talks, live shows and entertainment, Creative Visions of Nature art exhibition, displays and demonstrations of traditional Scottish crafts and skills, children’s workshops and storytelling and films.

The event is supported by the World Wildlife Federation (WWF), Whale & Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS), RSPB Scotland, the Marine Conservation Society and many more.  Entry to the festival is free, but note individual events, such as the Ceilidh (above) are ticketed and places are limited. Please call +44 (0) 1620 890202, email info@seabird.org or visit the Seabird Centre for more information.

A Scotchman Comes Home

A Scotchman Comes Home links the world of the Scottish diaspora with the desire of those of Scottish ancestry to revisit their roots. Focussed on the emigrant John Muir our exhibition for Homecoming Scotland 2009 goes back in time to Muir’s only return visit to Scotland in 1893.

Find out about Muir’s journey through Scotland, England and Europe as a tourist and sample the memories that he shared with friends and relatives visited during the trip. Our normal opening hours apply. Admission free.