John Muir Country Park takes in some of the most spectacular East Lothian Coastline including the remains of historic Dunbar Castle. Covering 733 hectares, it is a haven for families seeking an enjoyable day in the open air. John Muir Country Park also offers birdwatchers and other natural history enthusiasts a variety of habitats to explore. The park stretches from the Castle Ruins in Dunbar, to the Peffer Burn some six kilometres to the north-west. It takes in the Cliff Top Trail, with fine views of the sea and the historic Bass Rock; the long sandy sweep of Belhaven Bay; the mouth of the River Tyne; and extensive areas of saltmarsh, permanent grassland and woodland.

The Park is named after John Muir, the famous explorer, naturalist and conservationist who was born in Dunbar in 1838. He lived here until the age of 11, when the Muir family immigrated to the United States, where they settled in Wisconsin. As an adult, he travelled extensively throughout South and North America, Australia, Africa, Europe, Japan and China, but it is California's Sierra Nevada and Yosemite areas that he is best associated with. His pioneering conservation work and various nature publications led to him being dubbed America's founder of National Parks. His influence and legacy, though is felt worldwide and it is appropriate that the wilderness close to his birthplace is called John Muir Country Park.

Visitor Information

• The park lies to the west of the town of Dunbar. The approach to the main car park is from the A1 along the A1087. The car park is clearly signposted. There is a train service to Dunbar from both Edinburgh and the south. Dunbar is also provided with regular bus services to and from Edinburgh City Centre that stop within easy walking distance of the park. For details contact Traveline on 0800 23 23 23. 
  
  
• Two barbecue stoves are available at Linkfield Car Park. Groups of 20 or more people should book in advance at the East Lothian Council Area Office, Town House, High Street, Dunbar, Tel: (01368) 863434.
  
  
• There are a number of approved horse riding routes, but a permit is required for riding within the park. Contact Landscape and Countryside Management on (01620) 827421 for further details.
  
  
• Toilet facilities, including disabled toilets, are available at Shore Road and Linkfield Car Parks.

Natural History
The different habitats within the Park support a variety of plant communities. To date, around 400 species of plant have been found. Among the most common are thrift and sea aster on the saltmarsh; sea rocket and biting stonecrop on the upper beach; marram grass and birds-foot trefoil on the dunes; with meadow cranesbill and vipers bugloss along the grassy edge to the woodland.
The meadow brown and common blue butterflies are often seen in July and August, feeding on plants in the shorter grassland. Two of the commonest moths that can be seen are the day flying cinnabar and six-spot burnet moths. In late summer, the yellow and black caterpillars of the cinnabar moth can be seen feeding on ragwort.
While some birds breed in the park, such as kittiwake on the castle ruins and eider duck and shelduck in the dunes, others are seasonal visitors. Birds that can be seen in the summer include skylark, meadow pipit and lapwing in the dunes and saltmarsh; ringed plover on the rocky and sandy shores; with gannet and terns offshore. Sand martins swoop above the sand and saltmarsh, and flocks of crossbill can sometimes be glimpsed moving through the plantation at Hedderwick. Winter visitors include wigeon, bar-tailed godwit and whooper swan.