John Muir's Birthplace

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Content updated Sun, 31 Jan 1999 23:34:35 GMT

John Muir's Dunbar... [home]

Lawson Place

Lawson Court

To the Shore, Harbours and Castle

A short distance along Lawson Place a new development called Lawson Court opens on the right. In 1893, John walked along the High Street and he saw a shop sign 'Andrew Melville, Plumber'. On entering the close and workshop he found that Mr. Melville was an old school friend. The Melvilles' plumbing and ironmongery businesses were at their peak in 1893. They may be regarded as typical of the industrious merchants of Dunbar (John would surely have been in their number, if his family had not emigrated). They owned two adjacent tenements, which now form the northern part of Lawson Court. Together with the southern edge, once Innes Close, the area has been redeveloped to provide housing and a number of small workshops. In essence, the land has been restored to its proper function. This kind of development would surely have found favour with John.

Wall at the rear of John Muir House

A short way along is the very high wall of John's boyhood garden. It would give any-one today a hard climb, but it is little different from when John and brother David used to scramble over to freedom and adventure. This is the end of the main town walk. But John ranged further afield, especially to the beaches and rock-pools of the coast.