#johnmuirway

[scotianostra]

Loch Lomond from Gouk Hill Viewpoint, Ben Lomond catching a wee bit sun on the left

[misterft]

John Muir Way Part 6

Me and her are serial walkers. We’re currently 120km into the John Muir Way - a long distance trail which starts in Dunbar - birthplace of John Muir - and winds its way across Scotland’s central belt to Helensburgh - where a 10 year old John Muir left for America. (And Helensburgh is also where I lived for the first 7 years of my life) We kick started our 2017 campaign of trudging around the country with a 10 mile walk from Linlithgow to Falkirk early in the year - to try and shake of the torpor the festive season brings. 82 km left to do; I can’t wait to revisit Hill House on our last day

[scotianostra]

First few pics of yesterdays walk. I haven’t walked this sort of distance for years and it was easy enough for me so for beginners it is a relatively easy walk. If you have a car leave it at Balloch and catch the train to Helensburgh Central for £3.60 or if you are travelling from Glasgow it’s £6.80 return, I would say get there in the morning it will give you time for a wander round Helensburgh. WalkHighlands and Johnmuirway sites are both saying to use a diverted route, local knowledge is king though and I asked an old guy out walking his dog, he told me he walks along the route regularly and it is okay to use.  After just a few pics in the town I headed up my first hill out of Helensburgh on the A818, there are a couple of places of interest on the way up, Hermitage Park and  Victoria Halls both on the right side of the road, after this cross to left, looking back as you head up you get a great view down to the town and the Clyde. Turn left at Kennedy drive you will pass a few fine houses on the road along to Hill House, if you have the time it is open to the public but at £10.50 a wee bit steep for me, I was also keeping an eye on the clock and it is free to wander the grounds taking pics. After Hill House, continue on up Upper Colquhoun (pronounced culhoon) Street as far as you can go and take the path to your right. 

You will come out onto the A818 once more, cross to the left as soon as you can and continue along this side for a couple of miles passing the Old Luss Road which you will see on your right, you will continue on past a hill on your right then some forestry and reach a gate on your right with a red shale road leading through the forest, look out for John Muir Way signs on the way, as shown in  the fifth pic down, after a while you will get your first sight of Loch Lomond to your left, seen in my other pics, keep on the path, I will post more pics later. 

[awalktothecoast]

On our way to England for our Coast to Coast ride

A lovely evening last night visiting our friends From home, Rusty and Meredith. Meredith made us the best dinner we’ve had in ages and Rusty made a brilliant fire.

John Muir certainly was an influential and passionate man. We have him to thank for National Parks here in Scotland and also for convincing Roosevelt to include Yosemite as a National Park.

Wonderful way to see parts of Scotland that we would not have seen.

[awalktothecoast]

We finished

Lovely day for a 16+ mile walk. We headed out through town ( North Berwick) and there was one garden after another

Did I mention that so many houses in Scotland have a conservatory either in the yard or off the house

Today we headed a bit inland before returning to the coast. We walked through hayed fields, down country roads, through fields of wheat, leeks, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, trees and ferns.

And now into Dunbar, a quaint coastal town on the North Sea where John Muir was born.

And we’re done - 145 mile walk across Scotland❤️

[awalktothecoast]

Prestonpans to North Berwick

12th century monks starting making salt in Prestonpans. Since it was the main food preservative, the salt was being moved all over Europe. Then there was the Battle of Prestonpans. We spent the day (15 miles) walking along the shoreline of the Firth of Forth. This is the first place we noticed the anti tank concrete blocks that they used during the war to protect Scotland’s coast from invasion.

Came across this sweet town Aberlady.

And then it was on to golf courses- we must have passed eight or so within a 2 hour walk. Of course the heavens opened up and the wind kicked up making us a couple of drown rats. By the time we got to North Berwick, we had started to dry. Thankfully we were booked in a lovely Hotel, The Marine House. Fabulous setting.

[awalktothecoast]

South Queensferry to Edinburgh

We left Edinburgh a week ago on the train to Helensburgh. We’ve walked 110 miles back to Edinburgh. Still have another 40 miles to get to Dunbar. Edinburgh Festival is on and it’s crazy out on the streets, in pubs and restaurants!!

We left South Queensferry at 8:30 this morning knowing we had a 15 mile day and wanted to get to town on the early side. Lots of miles along the shoreline, past a golf course where you were asked just to walk along the edge of the course🤪, past a beautiful walled garden, a tower monument to Sir Walter Scott , another golf course and views into Edinburgh and lastly, a zebra. Right, who knew our walk would take us past the back side of the Zoo!!

Tomorrow we’re back out there bright and early.

[awalktothecoast]

Day 5

Falkirk to Linlithgow. Today was another cool and overcast day- if it cracked 63 I’d be surprised. It was our shortest day at 12 1/2 miles. We figured we would have plenty of time to explore both Callendar House in Falkirk and Linlithgow Palace in Linlithgow.

Callendar House is a 14th century French chateau styled house that was built in Callendar Park which also has a section of the Antonine Wall. It was a beautiful park w gardens - Many members of the noble Livingstone family lived there over 200+ years. Mary, Queen of Scots, was born up the way in Linlithgow Palace but spent much time at Callendar House.

The Callendar House kitchen has been filmed recently in the show Outlanders. I think some other rooms in the house have also been filmed.

A walk along the Union Canal and over the Avon Aqueduct. The aqueduct is 86 feet high and the view over the fence down to the Avon River is impressive but also a bit scary.

And then finally into Linlithgow, where Mary, Queen of Scots was born and lived for the first seven months of her life. Mary became queen at 6 days old. Her father King James V died a week after her birth.

The Palace had a devastating fire in 1746 but even before then it had already fallen into disrepair as the King had moved his court to London. The views were extraordinary and the fireplaces were many and vast.