Stage 1 John Muir Way  Helensburgh to Balloch

Time: 10:30am Sunday 30th June 2024

Distance/Duration/Ascent: 8miles/4.5 hours/352m

Start/Finish: Helensburgh/Balloch

A moderate walk to Way start point on Helensburgh esplanade. We will walk past some beautiful Victorian villas to ascend path into Camis Eskan woods. History of the Clan Colquhoun with guide on the path to Darleith Muir, then Stoneymollan old Coffin Route. Stunning views over Loch Lomond and finishing at the picturesque village of Balloch.

Stage 2 John Muir Way Balloch to Edenmill Cafe

Time: 10:00am Sunday 14th July 2024

Distance/Duration/Ascent: 12 miles/6.5 hours/421m

Start/Finish: Balloch/Edenmill Café

Car shuffle to end of walk, donation of £2.60 each to driver

A scenic walk through Balloch Castle Country Park. Walk along NCN7 cycle path towards Gartochan with views across Ben Lomond and Loch Lomond. Emerge into open moorland with a glimpse of Burncrook Reservoir. Opportunity for refreshments at Edenmill Café. Car transport back to Balloch.

Stage 3 John Muir Way Lennoxtown to Edenmill Cafe

Time: 10:30am Sunday 18th August 2024

Distance/Duration/Ascent: 8.5 miles/4.5 hours/202m

Start/Finish: Lennoxtown/Edenmill Café

Car shuffle to end of walk, donation of £2.60 each to driver

Explore the fascinating history of Strathkelvin Railway and go closer to the volcanic plug of Dunglass. Hear goldfinches in hedgerows. Take in stunning views of the Campsie hills. It continues to Carbeth Huts and loch back to Edenmill Café for refreshments. Car transport back to Lennoxtown.

Stage 4 John Muir Way Lennoxtown to Croy

Time: 10:30am Sunday 22nd September 2024

Distance/Duration/Ascent: 10miles/5.5 hours/172m

Start/Finish: Lennoxtown/Croy

Walk along the Forth & Clyde Canal with views towards the Campsie Hills, then through a circular tunnel and old railway. There is plenty of waterfowl to look at and hedgerow berries. A pleasant section of tranquil canals with added interest of Roman fort, bathhouse and Antonine Wall. Auchinstarry Marina nearby for refreshments.

Stage 5 John Muir Way Croy to Falkirk

Time: 10:30 am Sunday 20th October 2024

Distance/Duration/Ascent: 12miles/6 hours/280m

Start/Finish: Croy/Falkirk

A historic walk around roman ruins of Rough Castle and extensive views from Croy Hill. Also, great engineering history with Forth & Clyde Canal with its Radical Pend. As we follow the canal to end with the highlight of the Falkirk Wheel. Refreshments nearby.

Stage 6  John Muir Way Falkirk to Linlithgow

Time: 10:30 am Sunday 17th November 2024

Distance/Duration/Ascent: 8.5 miles/4.5 hours/293m

Start/Finish: Falkirk/Linlithgow

A pleasant walk mostly on Union Canal and river paths with lots of interest, from the Renaissance splendour of Callendar House to the impressive Victorian Avon Aqueduct, culminating at Linlithgow Palace.

Stage 7 John Muir Way Blackness Castle to Linlithgow

Time: 11:30 am Sunday 8th December 2024

Distance/Duration/Ascent: 8 miles/4.5 hours/Ascent 320m

Start/Finish: Blackness Castle/Linlithgow

Taxi Share £16 one way to Blackness Castle for 5 people from Linlithgow.

Starting with the imposing ruins of Blackness Castle, a fortress and prison known as the ship. Following the shore path with views across Firth of Forth to Fife in the distance. We reach Bo’ness and Kinneil Railway a steam driven standard locomotive. Attractions include Linlithgow Palace and St Michael’s Church. Return to Linlithgow.

Stage 8 John Muir Way Blackness Castle to South Queensferry

Time: 11.30 am Sunday 26th January 2025

Distance/Duration/Ascent: 6 miles/3.5 hours/144m

Start/Finish: Blackness Castle/South Queensferry

Taxi Share £16 one way to Blackness Castle for 5 people from South Queensferry.

An easy coastal walk from Blackness Castle built by the powerful Crichton family in the 15th century. The Way follows along a deer park road with the impressive view of the back of Hopetoun House. Regarded as one of Scotland’s finest stately homes. We converge with woodlands and shore road into South Queensferry. You will see Queensferry crossing and views across all three bridges. Return to South Queensferry.

Stage 9 John Muir Way South Queensferry to Edinburgh Zoo

Time: 11:30am Sunday 23rd February 2025

Distance/Duration/Ascent: 8.5miles/5 hours/333m

Start/Finish: South Queensferry/Edinburgh Zoo

The Way steps onto cobbles and passes vennels and crow-stepped gables through historic South Queensferry. Some surprisingly hilly parts as it meanders along the cycle paths and Union canal towpath. Views to Crammond Island on the Firth of Forth and the Forth Road Bridge. Climb up to Clermiston Tower built in 1871 as a memorial to Sir Walter Scott.

Stage 10 John Muir Way Edinburgh Zoo to Brunstane

Time: 11am Sunday 23rd March 2025

Distance/Duration/Ascent: 8.5 miles/4.5 hours/251m

Start/Finish: Edinburgh Zoo/Brunstane

Moderate walking towards Murrayfield stadium then follows a riverside path to Slateford Aqueduct. A quick stop at Water of Leith Visitor Centre. Good views towards Arthur’s Seat an ancient volcano. Next, we travel on a disused Innocent Railway when it was a horse drawn era. Then a beech lined path leads you to Brunstane station. 

Stage 11 John Muir Way Brunstane to Longniddry 

Time: 11:30 am Sunday 27th April 2025

Distance/Duration/Ascent: 9.5 miles/5 hours/108m

Start/Finish: Brunstane/Longniddry

From Brunstane station go through some woodland, open fields, and a golf course. Entering East Lothian home of the Saltire, Scotland’s sovereign flag, in use since AD832.Pass Fisherrow harbour and sandy beach with views across Forth to Fife and North Berwick Law. The river Esk is home to many mute swans and waterfowl and behind you to Arthur’s Seat. If time allows, we will stop at the Prestongrange Museum to hear about the Battle of Prestonpans on 21 September 1745.

Stage 12 John Muir Way Longniddry to North Berwick

Time: 11am Sunday 25th May 2025

Distance/Duration/Ascent: 10 miles/5.5 hours/143m

Start/Finish: Longniddry/North Berwick

At Longniddry Bents, a 3km strip of coastal grassland, foredune and beach to appreciate. The Way continues along the coastline when the path takes you past the impressive entrance to Gosford House. A stop to view inside Aberlady Kirk dates from 1482 which features superb stain glass. There are fine views of Fidra now a RSPB reserve and maybe the inspiration for R L. Stevenson’s Treasure Island.

Stage 13 John Muir Way North Berwick to East Linton

Time: 11:30am Sunday 22nd June 2025

Distance/Duration/Ascent: 6.5 miles/4 hours/163m

Start/Finish: North Berwick/East Linton

We will pass North Berwick Law a remnant of an ancient volcano, a lava plug exposed since the last ice age. The Way enters woods then, field edges you can catch glimpses of the sea and to North Berwick Law. East Lothian’s Preston Mill is a very famous landmark managed by the National Trust. On the Way we cross the river you notice the beehive shape of Phantassie Doocot (dovecote with 544 nest boxes).

Stage 14 John Muir Way East Linton to Dunbar

Time: 12pm Sunday 20th July 2025

Distance/Duration/Ascent: 7 miles/4 hours/100m

Start/Finish: East Linton/Dunbar

Follow the river downstream on a stretch of glorious weeping willows. A steady field path for 600m that takes you to a hedgerow of noisy yellow hammers. Enter the John Muir Country Park with various habitats salt marsh, coastland woodland. Many bird species to see depending on the season and tides. We take the clifftop trail to enjoy the sea views including the distant Isle of May, an important bird sanctuary. To finish the Way a visit to John Muir’s birthplace is a must and to collect all our stamps in the passport.