John Muir's Birthplace

About the museum

John Muir's Birthplace stands on the High Street in Dunbar, East Lothian, where the naturalist, writer and conservation campaigner John Muir was born in 1838. As a boy he explored the rugged coast and farmland around the town before emigrating to America, where he became known as an inventor, botanist, geologist, glaciologist, mountaineer, farmer, artist and best-selling author.

The exterior of the house has been restored to look much as it did in the year of his birth, and the museum inside is spread over three floors. Hands-on and family-friendly displays follow his life from his Scottish boyhood to his adventures on the American frontier and his lasting influence on the protection of wild places.

The building is owned by the John Muir Birthplace Charitable Trust and managed in partnership with East Lothian Council Museums Service, whose funding allows free admission. The Friends of John Muir's Birthplace, formed in Dunbar in 1994, campaigned for a centre celebrating Muir's vision. The museum is fully accredited by Museums Galleries Scotland, runs a tourist information service and is the starting point of the John Muir Way long-distance route.

Highlights

• Muir's birthplace restored to its 1838 appearance
• Three floors of interactive, family-friendly displays on his life and legacy
• Starting point of the John Muir Way
• Film booth with induction loop on the first floor
• Museum shop with books, maps and locally sourced gifts

Permanent exhibition

• John Muir's Birthplace museum – Three floors of interactive displays following John Muir's life from his boyhood on the East Lothian coast to his work in America and his legacy for conservation.

Operated by

John Muir Birthplace Charitable Trust, managed with East Lothian Council Museums Service

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission is free. Visitors who arrive by public transport, on foot or by bike can get 10 percent off in the shop on showing their ticket or as walking groups.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Level access throughout, with a lift to the upper floors and an accessible toilet on the ground floor, which also has baby-changing facilities. Two on-street Blue Badge spaces are to the left of the entrance. An induction loop works in the film booth on the first floor, and there are seats on every floor. Guide and assistance dogs are welcome and a dog bowl is available. A downloadable access guide is available through AccessAble.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities

Interactive, hands-on displays on three floors designed for families. Baby changing is available in the accessible toilet, which keeps spare nappies and wipes, and the museum describes itself as breastfeeding friendly.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in the centre of Dunbar towards the north end of the High Street, just off the A1.

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop

The shop sells books, John Muir Way maps and guides, cards and locally sourced gifts. The museum also runs a tourist information service.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit