John Muir Way Tour
John Muir Way Tour
Guided Walks in Argyll, Scotland
John Muir Way Tour
Argyll Walks run a multi-staged guided day walks enabling locals and visitors to come together to complete one of Scotland’s Great Trails.
John Muir Way Tour
Argyll Walks run a multi-staged guided day walks enabling locals and visitors to come together to complete one of Scotland’s Great Trails.
The John Muir Way is a 134 mile long-distance route that was designed for everyone to use. A series of 14 full day walks is being led by experience local guide Gerena. It is a coast-to-coast route beginning at Helensburgh in the west and with Dunbar in the east. It was developed by the Scottish Natural Heritage and was launched by Scotland’s first minister as part of the John Muir Festival in April 2014. John Muir ‘the father of national parks’ in America was born in Dunbar. Guided walks are a great way to see Scotland’s landscapes, history, and heritage. Gerena looks at John Muir’s life, legacy, and the increasingly popular John Muir Way.
You can enjoy these spectacular walks without the logistical headaches. These walks are organised by Argyll Walks enabling people to come together in small groups to complete some of the longer trails across Scotland. Each walk is led by an experienced local guide who are familiar with the route, and show you the must-see highlights, as well as the hidden gems we’ve uncovered. We provide information on different aspects of interest and feature a different theme each month. These guided walks are a favourite among history, bird watchers, photographers, and geology buffs across the central belt of Scotland.
As with all John Muir Way guided day walks, no dogs are allowed. A charge is made to cover the cost of car sharing to the driver if no public transport by Scotrail or Citylink Scotland is available.
The walks must be prebooked and paid for in advance. The walks are very popular and anyone who is interested is advised to book as early as possible. So, all you need to do is walk and enjoy the journey, knowing we’ve sorted the logistics, and we’ll show you all there is to see to fully explore the John Muir Way.
What’s Included?
- All walks are organised for your benefit, we’ve checked the routes, plan travel arrangements, navigating, so you can relax and enjoy without the worry.
- Everyone who books a stage of John Muir Way will receive a free JMW Passport (worth £5)
- A free completer certificate from JMW when all stamps collected over the route or a free personalised e-certificate straight to your inbox.
- Local knowledge on some of the routes and other organisations to help with a special interest.
- Meet other people that are solo, couples or groups who have a common interest.
- Walk stages take place on a Saturday, once a month for 14 months, between March 2026 to April 2027. Walk dates are listed opposite.
- Explore the John Muir Way and book individual sections of your choice.
2026/27 Dates
- Saturday 21 March 2026 | Helensburgh to Balloch
- Saturday 18 April 2026 | Balloch to Edenmill Café
- Saturday 16 May 2026 | Lennoxtown to Edenmill Café
- Saturday 27 June 2026 | Lennoxtown to Croy
- Saturday 18 July 2026 | Croy to Falkirk
- Saturday 22 August 2026 |Falkirk to Linlithgow
- Saturday 19 September 2026 | Blackness Castle to Linlithgow
- Saturday 17 October 2026 | Blackness Castle to South Queensferry
- Saturday 21 November 2026| South Queensferry to Edinburgh Zoo
- Saturday 19 December 2026 | Edinburgh Zoo to Brunstane
- Saturday 16 January 2027 | Brunstane to Longniddry
- Saturday 20 February 2027 | Longniddry to North Berwick
- Saturday 20 March 2027 | North Berwick to East Linton
- Saturday 17 April 2027 | East Linton to Dunbar
Cancellation Policy
In the event of cancellation by the guide before the walk, a full refund will be given, or if possible, the walk rescheduled. Should the itinerary (route) change on the day or be curtailed on safety or welfare grounds (e.g. adverse weather conditions), no refund will be given. The fee is not refundable in the event of the cancellation by the participants.
Risk
The guide shall take every step to ensure the safety and welfare of the group, but participants should be aware that walking trails carry a risk of injury. The guide of long-distance walks has over 20 years of experience of leading, organising and operates under a set of standard operating procedures and carries out rigorous risk assessments for each walk.
Schedule| Distance | Grade Level
John Muir Way- Explore Scotland’s Wildness in 14 Stages| 14 Months| 123 Miles
Stage 1 John Muir Way Helensburgh to Balloch
Stage 1 Helensburgh to Balloch Grade C+
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
Stage 2 Balloch to Edenmill Café Grade B
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
Stage 3 Lennoxtown to Edenmill Café Grade C+
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
Stage 4 Lennoxtown to Croy Grade C+
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
Stage 5 Croy to Falkirk Grade B
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
Stage 6 Falkirk to Linlithgow Grade C+
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
Stage 7 Blackness Castle to Linlithgow Grade C+
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
Stage 8 Blackness Castle to South Queensferry Grade C
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
Stage 9 South Queensferry to Edinburgh Zoo Grade C+
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
Stage 10 Edinburgh Zoo to Brunstane Grade C+
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
Stage 11 Brunstane to Longniddry Grade C+
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
Stage 12 Longniddry to North Berwick Grade C+
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
Stage 13 North Berwick to East Linton Grade C
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
Stage 14 East Linton to Dunbar Grade C
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.
Argyll Walks
