The 1,763-acre site, located near Dunbar and West Barns, was designated a Country Park on 12 October 1976, honouring naturalist John Muir, who was born in Dunbar before emigrating to the United States. Managed by East Lothian Council, the park is renowned for its rich biodiversity and sweeping landscapes.
To commemorate the milestone, Countryside Rangers, Councillor Colin McGinn, and members of the John Muir Advisory Groups, alongside representatives from various environmental and community organisations, planted three silver birches and two Monterey pines. Each tree symbolises a decade of the park's history.
Councillor McGinn, the council’s Cabinet Member for Community Wellbeing, stated, “For half a century, John Muir Country Park has provided the public with an invaluable opportunity to enjoy its stunning land and seascapes. The park welcomes 600,000 visitors each year, sustaining young and old with the benefits of being close to nature and experiencing first-hand the beauty which the county has to offer.”
He added, “The park also plays a pivotal role in the protection, conservation and restoration of many species and habitats as part of East Lothian’s Local Biodiversity Action Plan. By maintaining this environmentally important site for the future and ensuring its resilience to climate change, the legacy of John Muir will continue.”
Designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Special Protection Area (SPA), and a Ramsar site, the park boasts diverse habitats including saltmarshes, mudflats, sand dunes, woodlands, and grasslands. It is home to abundant birdlife such as greenshanks, whimbrels, and gannets, with around 400 plant species recorded.
The park is also a key location along the John Muir Way, a long-distance walk connecting Dunbar and Helensburgh. John Muir, a pioneering conservationist, significantly influenced the creation of US national parks.
To further celebrate the anniversary, John Muir’s Birthplace museum on Dunbar’s High Street is hosting a free exhibition of photographs and reflections from staff, volunteers, and Junior Rangers. The exhibition runs until 10 January 2027.
