Friends of John Muir's Birthplace

Through a diverse programme of films focussing on themes of landscape and open spaces, The Brunton explores John Muir’s legacy of engagement with the Natural World as part of the John Muir Festival 2014 Thu 17 – Sat 26 April.

WILD PLACES is a festival of films celebrating John Muir’s legacy, presented by The Brunton working in partnership with other cinemas along the John Muir Way, the new national coast to coast pathway. The Festival reflects Muir’s passion for wild places and the environment and celebrates all of the talents of this extraordinary Scotsman – as a naturalist, writer, artist, explorer and founder of the modern conservation movement.

Screenings at The Brunton are accompanied by a series of pre screening talks with experts from nature and the arts including: Countryfile’s Tom Heap, stand up comedian and mountaineer Andy Kirkpatrick, Creative Scotland’s Scott Donaldson and Edinburgh Makar Ron Butlin.

The films exploring themes of the natural world include: The Last Explorers – John Muir, The Edge of the World, Baraka, Grizzly Man, Into The Wild, Chasing Ice, Over The Hedge and John Muir – The Schools Film Premiere. (Full listings below).

Films are also screened at: Lomond School Helensburgh, macrobert Stirling, Hippodrome Bo’ness, Filmhouse Edinburgh and Dunbar Film Society at West Barns Village Hall.

Lesley Smith, General Manager at The Brunton explains: “The thinking behind Wild Places is to have a visual celebration of John Muir’s legacy as part of the wider John Muir Festival. The films and speakers chosen bring together soaring landscapes and breathtaking images; spiritual experiences; edifying and humorous discussion regarding the importance of conservation and the movement started by East Lothian son, John Muir. To link this to the opening of the new coastal path we decided to draw together venues along the route to present a Festival of film: Wild Places.”

East Lothian Council’s Countryside Ranger Service will be taking over Lauderdale Park in Dunbar from 10am to 4pm on the 20th and 21st April for two action-packed days of wildlife fun and games. As part of the John Muir Festival, Wild About East Lothian[1] is coming to Dunbar this Easter with lots of FREE and fun environmental activities for all the family to get involved in.

There will be drop-in activities to try out including rockpooling, willow weaving, storytelling, bat hunts, micro world, art and many other free environmental activities for all the family. Countryside Rangers will be waiting to guide you on many different themed journeys around the local area to explore the various habitats and discover the wildlife there. Advanced booking is advisable with limited places available on the day. All events are free. Some of the events on offer include:

Rockpooling: Rocks are tough, but rockpool animals are tougher still! Come along to discover and record the fascinating marine life that frequent our rocky shores, and learn about the amazing ways they manage to survive and thrive. Wellies advisable.

Seabirds: The Firth of Forth is a summer home to over half a million seabirds. Join us as we head off in search of diving gannets, crying kittiwakes and maybe even pretty puffins on this leisurely 90-minute walk along the coast.

Tracks and trails: Join us on a quest to uncover which animal placed that print or plopped that poo. Learn about feather and fur identification and hone your skills as a nature detective!

There will also be ongoing drop-in environmental activities at the hub such as:

Fungi Fun: Drop in to find out how the mushroom got its spots, make some pictures with fungi paint and try a mushroom supermarket challenge.

Willow weaving workshop: Discover the art of natural weaving – no experience necessary! Come and have a go at making a willow and rush fish to take home.

Dunbar Writers’ are preparing a dramatic presentation to celebrate John Muir as an ecologist and also an inspiring writer. Readings concerning John Muir, as he relates to Dunbar but also covering wider issues will be connected by a narrator. The first reading will take place at John Muir’s Birthplace, then open air readings and, finally, a reading at the West Barns Inn.

Thousands are expected to attend the key John Muir Festival events at Falkirk, Dunbar and Loch Lomond but there are smaller programmed events scheduled daily for ten hotspots along the John Muir Way.

With more than 70 other events taking place in association with the Festival there is something for everyone. Full details are available on the John Muir Festival website[1]. Some of the events taking place in and around Dunbar will be highlighted here too.

The new John Muir Way links Dunbar and Helensburgh on the Firth of Clyde “sparking awareness of the local landscapes and wild places along the route”.  The route has been developed by Scottish Natural Heritage[1] with support from a range of partners in the Central Scotland Green Network, including East Lothian Council.

On the day of the opening of the John Muir Way there will be celebrations in Dunbar High Street 10.30am-2.30pm. First minister Alex Salmond officially opens the John Muir Way at Muir’s birthplace in Dunbar at 12 noon. All are welcome to come along and enjoy the Festival atmosphere, celebratory art, music, performance and food stalls. A stylised tree will be raised in tribute to Muir’s enduring love of giant sequoias and there will be a variety of other artworks.

Friends Social Event with Photo Sharing

Wednesday 15^th January, 7.30pm at John Muir’s Birthplace

Following on from similar very successful events in the past, we plan to do the same again!  Members are encouraged to show and talk about three of their favourite images.  5 minutes per person!  Refreshments will also be served! If you wish to be involved, please e-mail your images to duncan.smeed (at) gmail.com and these will put into a presentation for ease of showing. Meet at 7.15pm for a 7.30pm start at JMB.