John Muir Way Walking Holiday in Scotland
Eastern Section
Falkirk to Dunbar
8 nights and 7 days walking
Day by Day Itinerary
Where in the UK is the John Muir Way?
John Muir Way Walking Holiday
a Scottish Coast to Coast route
From Falkirk via South Queensferry and Edinburgh to Dunbar
EASTERN SECTION
The John Muir Way walking holiday on the Eastern Section from Falkirk to Dunbar is a 80.5 mile (129 kilometres) way-marked walking trail. The route can be walked in either direction and for those looking for a longer walking holiday it can be linked to a walking holiday on the West Highland Way.
This John Muir Way walking holiday uses a mixture of public footpaths and canal towpaths. The route is mainly low-level with moderate gradients and no seriously long climbs.
The Eastern section of the route is follows the coast along the Firth of Forth for some of its route and also includes the Scottish capital city of Edinburgh.
John Muir (1838-1914) the pioneer, traveller, mountaineer and father of the United States’ national parks, was born in Dunbar, Scotland.
Our self-guided walking holidays are designed with your comfort and enjoyment in mind and can be tailor-made to your own personal requirements.
The routes are clearly way-marked to provide reassurance on your hiking vacation.
We use a selection of guest houses, inns or small hotels with en-suite or private bathroom to ensure you are well rested each night after a busy day hiking and sightseeing. Rest assured that all our accommodation walking holiday providers are hand-picked and offer you that famous British hospitality.
Special diets can be catered for, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free.
We organize the luggage transfer so your bags are at your next accommodation when you arrive. We try to get your bags delivered by 4pm, but this may be delayed due to road conditions.
Let’s Go Walking has developed one of the largest selection of walking holidays.
Our offices are staffed 9am to 9pm during our walking season (March to September) to ensure your walking holiday runs without a hitch.
All our walking holidays are self-guided and you must be a confident map reader and able to navigate from a compass bearing. The weather in the UK and Ireland can change quickly effecting visibility and underfoot conditions. It is important to carry a selection of clothing with you on your hike each day to cope with changing weather conditions. If you are not confident of completing any days walk, do not set out.
This walking holiday in the UK operates April to September and in either direction.
These daily distances are only a suggestion. If you would like to walk longer or shorter distances, we can arrange that too.
Our stated distances include mileage to the accommodation or pickup point and so may not agree with the guide book mileages.
Rest days can be taken in any location.
Why not combine this walk with a hiking tour in another part of England or the UK. Our staff will be happy to advise on necessary transfers.
Online booking available.
A deposit of £85 per person is required to secure the booking, with the balance due 6 weeks before departure.
Optional extra days and accommodation upgrades can be added during the booking process online.
Please wait for the confirmation of your holiday before making final travel plans just in case your holiday is not available for your requested date.
John Muir Way Walking Holiday
Falkirk to Dunbar
Suggested Tour Duration:
8 nights, 7 days walking
Total Distance:
80.5 miles
Min/max daily distance:
7/16 miles
Average Daily distance:
11 miles
Grading:
easy/moderate
Features:
Union Canal
Edinburgh
John Muir Way Walking Holiday in Scotland
Eastern Section
Falkirk to Dunbar
The Scottish Coast To Coast walking holiday
8 nights and 7 days walking
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1: arrive Falkirk
To start your walking holiday on John Muir Way walking trail you make your own way to Falkirk, Scotland. We can assist with coach or train transfers if necessary. Car parking is available for the duration of your self-guided walking holiday on John Muir Way. Falkirk is located in Scotland’s Central Region close to East coast and The Firth of Forth. Falkirk is the location of the Falkirk Wheel this interesting structure lifts canal boats 115ft/35m from the Forth & Clyde Canal to the Union Canal and is well worth a visit.
Optional extra day in Falkirk
Visit the Falkirk Wheel and the Kelpies.
Day 2: Falkirk to Linlithgow 11 miles
The John Muir Way soon reachs Callendar House built in the style of a French Renaissance Chateau this 19th Century house and gardens is well worth a visit. Another high point of todays walk is the Avon Aqueduct the highest and longest in Scotland dating from the 1820’s.
Day 3: Linlithgow to South Queensferry 14.5. miles
Linlithgow is an interesting town with a good selection of shops and resturants. The town is also home to Linlithgow Loch and Palace the royal palace of the Stewart kings. Walking on the route reaches the east coast of Scotland and The Firth of Forth at Bo’ness . Bo’ness is also home to a steam railway and railway museum. The walking trail follows the coast to South Queensferry and the famous Forth Rail Bridge.
Day 4: South Queensferry to Edinburgh 16 miles
The John Muir Way follows the Firth of Forth to Cramond where it head inland to Edinburgh. Most guests take a shortcut via the Water of Leith that flows through Edinburgh’s outskirts. This route enters Edinburgh close to it famous castle.
Optional extra day/s in Scotland capital city Edinburgh
Enjoy some extra day/days exploring this interesting capital city.
Day 5: Edinburgh to Port Seton 11 miles
Leaving Edinburgh The John Muir Way passes Holyrood Palace and the famous ancient volcano of Arthur’s Seat. Reaching the coast again at Musselburgh the trail passes Musselburgh Horse Racing Course. Walking on you soon reach the twin little fish ports of Cockenzie and Port Seton.
Day 6: Port Seton to Dirleton 11 miles
The hiking trail follows the coast past the little town of Longniddry and close to Gosford House a Robert Adam designed neo-classical mansion. Todays walk ends at Dirleton with its fine castle dating back to 13th century.
Day 7: Dirleton to East Linton 11 miles
The John Muir Way heads back to the coast at Yellow Craig Beach before reaching North Berwick with its Scottish Seabird Centre. The walking trail then heads inland past the hill of North Berwick Law to East Linton .
Day 8: East Linton to Dunbar 7 miles
The John Muir Way now heads east towards the coast . Reaching the sea at the John Muir Country Park and Belhaven Bay. The Town of Dunbar has some interesting shops and a John Muir Museum as well as a statue to mark John’s Muir place of birth in the high street.
Day 9: Depart after breakfast
Depart after Breakfast or extend your holiday walking and spend some time exploring the area.
Falkirk to Dunbar
in Scotland UK
9 day itinerary
7 days walking and 8 nights
Suggested Itinerary
| Day 1: | Arrive Falkirk | |
| Optional Day: | optional extra day in Falkirk to visit the Falkirk Wheel and the Kelpies | |
| Day 2: | Falkirk to Linlithgow | 10 miles |
| Day 3: | Linlithgow to South Queensferry | 14.5 miles |
| Day 4: | South Queensferry to Edinburgh | 16 miles |
| Optional Day: | optional extra day in Edinburgh | |
| Day 5: | Edinburgh to Port Seton | 11 miles |
| Day 6: | Port Seton to Dirleton | 11 miles |
| Day 7: | Dirleton to East Linton | 11 miles |
| Day 8: | East Linton to Dunbar | 7 miles |
| Optional Day: | optional extra day in Dunbar | |
| Day 9: | depart Dunbar |
9 day itinerary 8 nights
| Double or Twin Occupancy | Single Occupancy travelling with others | Solo Traveller |
|
| 2024 | £952 | £1,424 | £1,584 |
All prices subject to change
Extra nights from £64.00 per person
depending on location
This 141 mile walking route is from Helensburgh on the west coast of Scotland to Dunbar on the east coast of Scotland. Dunbar is the birthplace of John Muir, the father of the United State’s national park.
This is one of our Coast to Coast Walking Holidays in UK, one of our Canal Walking Holidays, and also one of our Scotland Walking Holidays.
What’s included
in your John Muir Way Walking Holiday in Scotland:
- accommodation at high quality guest houses, inns or small hotels on a bed and breakfast basis
- room with en-suite or private bathroom, tea and coffee making facilities
- daily luggage transfer
- support should there be any problems on route
- detailed itineraries
- map of John Muir Way
- Rucksack Reader’s guide to John Muir Way
Optional Extras
for your John Muir Way Walking Holiday in Scotland:
- upgrade to the region’s most elegant, prestigious and famous hotels, where available
- transfers back to car or station
- parking facilities
- rest days
- inn to inn walks, where available
What’s not included
in your John Muir Way Walking Holiday in Scotland:
- lunches and dinners
- travel insurance
- trip on Falkirk Wheel
Lunches and Dinners
These are not included.
Evening meals
These are available at overnight locations, either at your accommodation or in the town/village.
Packed lunches
These can be provided by your accommodation or can be obtained from a local store, or cafe or inn along the route.
Holiday Travel Insurance
We require that you take out holiday insurance as Let’s Go Biking Ltd accepts no liability for the following:
cancellation, personal accident, illness, loss/theft of personal possessions and/or money, and any unforeseen circumstances, especially travel delays.
This is in addition to our existing
booking conditions.
Please contact us if you have any questions.
Our telephone Lines are open 7 days a week.
UK +44 (0)1837 880075
or +44 (0)207 193 1252
March to September 9am to 9pm
October to February 9am to 5pm
US +1 (646) 233-1541
New York 5 hours behind UK time:
March to September 4am to 4pm EST
October to February 4am to 12noon EST
AUS +61 (02) 8006 0182
Sydney 10 hours ahead of UK time:
March to September 7pm to 7am EADT
October to February 7pm to 3am EADT
CAN +1 (647) 4786251
Toronto 5 hours behind UK time:
March to September 4am to 4pm EST
October to February 4am to 12noon EST
or
John Muir Way Walking Holiday:
How to get there
- By Plane to Edinburgh or Glasgow airport
- By Car to Helensburgh or Falkirk where parking is available
- By Train / Bus to Helensburgh or Falkirk
This 141 mile walking route is from Helensburgh on the west coast of Scotland to Dunbar on the east coast of Scotland. Dunbar is the birthplace of John Muir, the father of the United State’s national park.
This is one of our Coast to Coast Walking Holidays in UK, one of our Canal Walking Holidays, and also one of our Scotland Walking Holidays.
