John Muir - our namesake

John Muir (1838-1914) is the founder of the modern world conservation movement.  Over two hundred sites in the USA are named after him including Muir Woods, Muir Beach, Muir Glacier and the John Muir Trail through the High Sierra.

Born in the fishing port of Dunbar, near Edinburgh, he developed an early awareness of the value of wild nature.  At the age of eleven, he emigrated to the USA. He achieved fame as a botanist, geologist and glaciologist, amongst other things.  He saw the damage that was being done to nature and predicted the sad state of affairs - the sanctuary of the wild places, lost forever.  He pioneered what we now call Ecology.

He led the campaign for the protection of Yosemite and deeply influenced various presidents in designating over 50 areas and 200 national monuments. 

Muir set up the Sierra Club, which today is one of the leading environmental campaigning organisations in the world.

Campaigning and writing over one hundred years ago, Muir could not foresee ozone depletion, or global warming, but today his conservation imperative cuts to the heart of current concerns over the sustainability of the world's natural resources and systems.

An Infinite Storm of Beauty is a major exhibition on the life and achievements of Scottish-born conservationist John Muir and can be seen at his birth place in the town of Dunbar, 23 miles east of Edinburgh.

This exhibition emphasises his Scottish origins, and reclaims him as an environmental icon for the country of his birth. The exhibition brings together contemporary and modern photography, paintings, manuscripts and artifacts from Dunbar, Wisconsin and California to track Muir's odyssey from his humble East Lothian origins to his enthronement in the American Pantheon as Father of the American National Parks, the World’s first.

The John Muir Trust

Disclaimer: Muir's Tours is not linked to the John Muir Trust other than as a supporter.