Popular walking route to mark its 10th anniversary

A FAMOUS and much-loved walking route to and from Helensburgh is set to mark its 10th anniversary next weekend with a series of events.

The John Muir Way’s 10 years will be marked with an anniversary walk from Helensburgh to Balloch celebrating the opening of the coast-to-coast path, which stretches from the Burgh seafront all the way to Dunbar.

There will also be a celebration at Balloch Castle Country Park, with both events being held on April 21 - marking exactly 10 years since the route opened.

The John Muir Way was opened in 2014 and named after the famous conservationist, who was born in Dunbar in 1838.

Muir’s link with Helensburgh is a bit less firm, but the town was chosen for the western end of the walk because Muir and his family, who emigrated from Scotland to the United States in 1849, might have looked out on the Burgh as the ship that would carry them across the Atlantic cast off from Greenock at the start of its trip west.

The full route of about 134 miles (215km), which was opened on the centenary of Muir’s death, takes between nine and 11 days on average to complete - though more than a handful of super-fit athletes have covered some or all of the route in considerably less time, often raising money for charity, since the walk was opened.

Divided into 10 stages, it takes walkers from Helensburgh to Dunbar via Balloch, Strathblane, Kilsyth, Falkirk, Linlithgow, South Queensferry, Edinburgh, Prestonpans and North Berwick.

It was officially opened by the then First Minister, Alex Salmond, in Dunbar on April 21, 2014, during a special John Muir Festival, which also included events in both Helensburgh and Balloch.

The anniversary walk, being organised by the Helensburgh and West Dunbartonshire Ramblers group, starts on Sunday, April 21 at 9am at the start of John Muir Way, on the prom next to Helensburgh pier. It is expected to finish in Balloch around 1pm.

Those wishing to take part in the walk must book in advance with the walk leader at www.hwdramblers.org.uk/.

The celebration at the park runs from 11am until 2pm.

As well as enjoying the local section of the walk through the park, there are other self-led family activities planned.

The event in Balloch is free and no booking is necessary to take part.

Visit west-dunbarton.gov.uk/ leisure-parks-events/events-inwest-dunbartonshire/john-muircelebration/ for more details.