The John Muir Festival, 17 – 26 April 2014
marks the official opening of Scotland’s new national pathway, the John Muir Way
The John Muir Way stretches from Dunbar, Muir’s birthplace, to Helensburgh on the Firth of Clyde.
The festival is a celebration of Muir’s life and work. It comprised large scale national events alongside local projects and initiatives.
For more information about the festival, visit www.johnmuirfestival.com.
John Muir
Born in 1838 in Dunbar, East Lothian, John Muir emigrated to the US in 1849. He is recognised as the ‘father of modern conservation’, the founder of America’s national parks and a campaigning environmentalist.
Muir helped change the way we look at nature and how the world’s natural resources are used.
Events in and around Bo’ness
Public events organised as part of the John Muir Way celebrations were held in the Falkirk Council area.
The following are those organised in and around Bo’ness:-
- 21 April 2014 10am – 3pm
Make a Paper Lantern Workshop
Boundary Street Cabin, Bo’ness
johnmuirway@falkirk.gov.uk – 01324 504950 - 21 April 2014 8pm – 11pm
Lantern Walk On John Muir Way
Boundary Street Cabin to Corbie Inn, Bo’ness
johnmuirway@falkirk.gov.uk– 01324 504950 - 21 April 2014 9pm – 11pm
John Muir Way Session Trail with Falkirk Folk Club
Corbie Inn, Bo’ness
info@falkirkfolkclub.co.uk – 07535 097296 –www.falkirkfolkclub.co.uk - 21 April 2014 8pm – 11pm
Launch of Wayfarer Pale Aleto celebrate theJohn Muir Way
Corbie Inn/Kinneil Brewhoose, Corbiehall, Bo’ness
23 – 27 April (Various times) - John Muir Film Festival
Hippodrome, Bo’ness – £6 / £4.55
Steeple Box Office – 01324 506850 –www.falkirkcommunitytrust.org - 26 & 27 April 2014 Noon – 3pm (last House admission 2.30pm)
Kinneil House Open Days (Free)
Kinneil House and Museum, Bo’ness
01506 778530 / 01506 823714 – www.kinneil.org.uk - 16 May 2014 6pm – 9pm
Your Adventure Starts Here! Night at Kinneil House & Museum
Kinneil House & Museum, Bo’ness
01506 778530 / 01506 823714
www.falkirkcommunitytrust.org – www.kinneil.org.uk - May 17 2014 10.45am – 1.30pm, 2pm – 4.45pm
John Muir Express Train & Big Beard Event (Event supported by SNH)
Bo’ness & Kinneil Railway, Bo’ness
johnmuirway@falkirk.gov.uk – 01324 504950 - May 25 12 – 4pm
Bo’ness Victorian Street Fair & Producers Market
Bo’ness Town Centre
www.victorianfair.bonesstown.org.uk/
For more information about any of the above please visit the websites listed or contacts shown for each.
Lantern Lit Walk, Launch of Wayfinder and Folk Night
One of the events to celebrate the opening and launch of the John Muir Way was the lantern-lit walk along Bo’ness foreshore to the Corbie Inn.
As part of the launch of the ‘Way’ the Kinneil Brew Hoose made a special brew to commemorate the occasion.
On Monday evening, 21 April, after the walk, Wayfinder Pale Ale was well and truly launched at the Corbie Inn.
The Falkirk Folk Club and The Lazy Boys of Banknock helped make it an even more memorable night. An evening of folk song, celebrating Scotland’s beautiful, wonderful and often wild landscape, followed.
The first cask of Wayfarer Pale Ale finished in ‘quick time’ (note the clever musical reference). Luckily there were bottles on – or more accurately ‘in-hand’ to ensure everyone got their share. Not surprisingly they went too!
A Bonus, The Singing Brewer
And, as a bonus, (well that was what he said it was), the brewer of Wayfinder also helped show the way in the entertainment stakes.
Stuart Simpson proved that not only can he produce a pretty good brew he is no less able to do the same with a song or two.
All in all, it was a great night and just maybe we can look forward to something similar in the not too distant future.