A Tartan Tale: John Muir Way

Released in April 2014 to celebrate the opening of the eponymous 215 km John Muir Way, this tartan is an ode to the spectacular landscapes and coastal vistas of East Lothian, honouring one of its most appreciative sons.
John Muir Way Tartan

 

John Muir was born in the coastal town of Dunbar, East Lothian on 21st April 1838. East Lothians red stone cliffs, bright blue seas and skies remain much unchanged since the young John Muir scrambled in rockpools and trailed through woodlands absorbing every fascinating detail of nature that sparked his attention and set seed in his fertile young mind.  During his childhood in Scotland, he developed an enduring love of the natural world. When the Muir family left Dunbar for the promise of a new life in America in 1849, the deep roots of Johns sensitivity to the natural environment  grew into a lifelong cause, earning worldwide recognition.

John Muir was a man of many talents; farmer, naturalist, botanist, inventor, explorer, mountaineer, writer - but is best known as a pioneer of nature conservation.
April 2014 marked the centenary of Muirs death and the opening of the 215km celebratory John Muir Way. The trail stretches from his East Coast birthplace, through coastal, country and urban central Scotland, to Helensburgh on the West coast- the Muir familys departure point on their emigration to North America.
Gordon Nicolsons tartan design to honour Muir was inspired by " the Father of the National parks" legacy, and by the stunning coastline, countryside & Lammermuir hills which surround Dunbar. Today, it is home to the Nicolson family - securing  this tartans place close to Gordon’s heart.  It is a design that seems likely to have delighted the great environmentalist himself.
The colours woven represent;
Green & Brown - earthy nature
Blue - the sea & sky
Red - from the Dunbar tartan

The John Muir Way Tartan is approved by Scottish Natural Heritage, and is Registered with the Scottish Register of Tartans.
John Muir Way tartan is woven by Lochcarron of Scotland.
 

John Muir Way sign

The Way begins...

Dunbar Coastline

Eastern coastline.

Lammermuir Hills

Lammermuir Hills

Dunbar

Dunbar 

 

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