Our essential wildnessThe John Muir Trust is the leadingwild land conservation charity in the UK. Working with people andcommunities to conserve, campaignand inspire, we seek to ensure thatwild land is protected and that wildplaces are valued by and for everyone.

This is our Vision.

thousands of tired, nerve-shaken,over-civilized people are beginningto find that going to the mountainis going home; that wildness is anecessity; that mountain parks andreservations are useful not only asfountains of timber and irrigatingrivers, but as fountains of life

john muir (1838-1914)

John Muir was right: wildness is not a luxury, it encompassesfundamental elements of life on earth and our relationship with the natural world.

This document explains what the John Muir Trust is about and why we think wildness is essential. Most importantly, it presents a new Vision for wild land and wild places in the UK and outlines the role of the Trust and others in helping to deliver that Vision.

And we want you to be part of this too.

COVERQUINAG AND SUILVEN, SUTHERLAND

LEFTBLÀ BHEINN AND CLACH GLAS, ISLE OF SKYE

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who we are

The John Muir Trust is a UK charity, with over 10,000members, dedicated to the protection of wild land for both nature and people. Our name and ethos areinspired by Scottish-born John Muir, the first personto call for action to be taken to protect wild land. The Trust was founded in 1983 to safeguard the future of wild landagainst development and to promote awareness and recognition of the value of wild places.

We own and manage spectacular examples of wild land in Scotland,including parts of Ben Nevis (the UK’s highest mountain), Schiehallionin Perthshire, Knoydart, Sandwood Bay in the far northwest Highlandsand parts of the Cuillin mountains on the Isle of Skye. We campaignto protect wild land under threat and work with others to safeguardand improve it.

Working with communities whose livelihoods depend on these wildplaces is an important aspect of our approach to land management.

Just as importantly, the Trust also engages people in wild placesthrough the John Muir Award. Started in 1997, the Award offerspeople of all ages and backgrounds the opportunity to connect with, enjoy and care for wild places.

PINE WOOD, GLEN NEVIS

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the importance of wild landand wild places

Wild land is one of the UK’s most important assets –and where we find our most spectacular scenery andabundant wildlife. Wildness reigns in areas that arerelatively free from modern development. Such land provides us with important natural resources such asclean air, water and food. And by drawing thousands of people toenjoy its solitude, beauty and challenges – nourishing mind andspirit – such land is also hugely important to our economy, tourismand leisure industries.

But a connection with nature and a sense of wildness need not onlybe found in hard-to-reach areas; wild places can be found in ourtowns and cities as well as our countryside. And it is in these wildplaces that most people are frequently able to enjoy, value and care for nature.

LOCH HOURN FROM LADHARBHEINN, KNOYDART

i could not now saywhen i first grew tolove the wild, onlythat i did, and that aneed for it will alwaysremain strong in me

robert macfarlane ‘the wild places’

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wildness and wild landin the united kingdom

our properties:1 SANDWOOD BAY2 QUINAG3 SCONSER, STRATHAIRD AND TORRIN,

ISLE OF SKYE4 LI & COIRE DHORRCAIL, KNOYDART5 BEN NEVIS 6 SCHIEHALLION

examples of where we work with othersTHROUGH LAND MANAGEMENT: ASSYNT FOUNDATIONBORDERS FOREST TRUSTGALSON TRUSTKNOYDART FOUNDATIONNEVIS PARTNERSHIPNORTH HARRIS TRUST

THROUGH EDUCATION AND AWARENESS:CAIRNGORMS NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITYCUMBRIA YOUTH ALLIANCEJOHN MUIR BIRTHPLACE TRUSTTHE OUTWARD BOUND TRUSTYHA (ENGLAND & WALES)OASES (COUNTY DURHAM)

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wildland quality index

THIS MAP IS REPRODUCED FROM ORDNANCE SURVEYMATERIAL WITH THE PERMISSION OF ORDNANCE SURVEY ON BEHALF OF THE CONTROLLER OF HER MAJESTY'SSTATIONERY OFFICE. CROWN COPYRIGHT. UNAUTHORISEDREPRODUCTION INFRINGES CROWN COPYRIGHT AND MAYLEAD TO PROSECUTION OR CIVIL PROCEEDINGS. FOR DATASOURCES SEE ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ON INSIDE BACK COVER

JOHN MUIR TRUST LICENSE NO. 100034628 2010

ANALYSIS AND CARTOGRAPHY BY WILDLAND RESEARCHINSTITUTE, UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS

TOP 10% WILDEST LAND

HIGH

LOW

The John Muir Trust owns and manages examples ofsome of the best wild land in the UK and also workswith community groups, other charities and like-minded organisations in many spectacular locations.We believe that the best wild land is restricted to largeareas of high scenic and wildlife value with minimalevidence of modern human development. In order to protect and enhance wild land, we need to be clear about what it is and where it is. Working with the Wildland ResearchInstitute (www.wildlandresearch.org) we have produced a ‘wildnessmap’ based on our definition of wild land. The best 10% wild landarea has been marked in blue. Unfortunately, landscapes in thesebest areas are being degraded and less than half is currentlyprotected by legislation.

Meanwhile, our education and awareness work through the JohnMuir Award operates with more than 700 providers across the wholespectrum of wildness in the UK, including our towns and cities.

1 2 3

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1 SANDWOOD BAY WITH AM BUACHAILLE IN THE DISTANCE, SUTHERLAND

2 QUINAG WITH A DUSTING OF SNOW,SUTHERLAND

3 LOCH CORUISK AND THE CUILLIN, ISLE OF SKYE

4 LOCH HOURN FROM COIRE DHORRCAIL,KNOYDART

5 BEN NEVIS AND ADJOINING RIDGES, LOCHABER

6 THE CONICAL SUMMIT OF SCHIEHALLION,PERTHSHIRE

our connection withwild places

Wild land and wild places can be appreciated bypeople of all ages and from all walks of life. It is a belief that we reinforce on a daily basis through the John MuirAward – our principal education initiative. So far, the Award hashelped tens of thousands of people from across the UK experience,appreciate and do something positive for wild places.

RIGHTJOHN MUIR AWARD PARTICIPANTS, WHINLATTER FOREST

FOLLOWING SPREADCAMPING AT INVERIE, KNOYDART

i love being surrounded by nature, and it makesme feel so alive andexcited. you would besurprised what youlearn by just walkingthrough the trees

caoimhe p7, st aloysisus college ‒ glasgow

08 09

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our vision for wild land and wild places

Our Vision is that:

Wild land is protected and enhancedthroughout the UK and wild placesare valued by all sectors of society.

This Vision is ambitious and long-term. It aims to provide thefoundation for our work and to inspire others. But it can only beachieved if we successfully influence and encourage governments,landowners and managers, people living alongside wild land,voluntary organisations and the wider public to accept its merits and realise its ambitions.

This Vision will be achieved when:

– Wild land is protected– Wild land is enhanced– People engage with wild places– Communities thrive alongside wild land

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TOPCONSERVATION WORK PARTY, JOHN MUIR AWARD

MIDDLEENJOYING PERFECT WINTERCONDITIONS, GLEN AFFRIC

BOTTOMSEA STACKS NEAR SANDWOOD BAY,SUTHERLAND

TOP GOLDEN EAGLE - AN ICON OF WILD LAND

MIDDLEISOLATED PINES IN UPPER GLEN NEVIS

BOTTOMWILD LAND RANGER AND DOGS,SCHIEHALLION

TOP BEACH CLEAN AT CAMASUNARY BAY,ISLE OF SKYE

MIDDLEWORKING THE LAND, SCONSER, ISLE OF SKYE

BOTTOMPRAWN FISHING, ELGOL, ISLE OF SKYE

wild land is protected

There is currently inadequate protection forlandscapes in our most important wild land areas. As a result, they are being lost and degraded at analarming rate.

Our Vision is that:

– Large areas of wild land, incorporating our most spectacular,remote and beautiful landscape, rich in wildlife, will be protected by new legislation and holistic policies

– Wild land conservation will have widespread support from the public and landowners

– The recreational quality of wild land and its ability to providetranquillity and solitude will be cherished

– Wild land will be managed sustainably to help protect andbenefit the natural and cultural capital it contains as well as supporting sustainable economies and communities

FAIRY POOLS, GLEN BRITTLE,ISLE OF SKYE

14 15

wild land is enhanced

There is much that can be done to improve the quality of wild land in the UK.

Our Vision is that:

– Poorly sited and inappropriate man-made structures will be removed to improve the quality of the wild landscape

– Restoration of natural processes across large areas of wild land will help to reverse declines in native wildlife

– Non-native invasive species will be actively controlled, while previously lost native species will be reintroduced

– Peatlands will be restored and native woodland will expandacross large areas of its natural range as a result of reducedgrazing pressure

These actions will help provide all of us with natural goods and services – from clean air to fresh water and efficient carbon storage – and create more robust ecosystems that are better able to adapt to our changing climate.

MONITORING ECOLOGICALRESTORATION, SCOTTISHBORDERS

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people engage with wild places

People of all ages and backgrounds can be encouragedto connect, enjoy and care for wild places.

Our Vision is that:

– Outdoor learning will be incorporated into all stages of learning

– The environment, protection and enjoyment of wild places willprovide a focus for youth work and community-based activities

– Connecting with nature and wild places will improve the healthand well-being of our nation, and people will be supported andencouraged to make these connections – so reversing the currentdevaluing of wildness

GREEN TEAM VOLUNTEER,JOHN MUIR AWARD

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communities thrive alongside wild land

The needs of people and communities can be metwithout destroying the value and special qualities of wild land.

Our Vision is that:

– Recreation such as walking, climbing, eco-tourism and deer stalking will take place in high quality wild land and wild places, providing valuable jobs and income for rural and remote communities

– Financial support for farming, crofting and forestry will maintain livelihoods and improve the environment

– People living alongside wild land areas will benefit from small scale, local renewable energy schemes to supportcommunities and meet their own energy needs

ALASDAIR MACPHERSON, WILD LAND MANAGER ANDCROFTER, ISLE OF SKYE

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our pledge forwildness

In striving to achieve this Vision, the John Muir Trustwill:

– Protect and improve important areas of wild land throughout the UK, through ownership and by working with others

– Improve the ecological health of wild land

– Influence policies and decisions for the benefit of wild land, wild places and people who rely on its protection and sustainable development

– Make the case for designation and improved protection of wild land areas

– Promote awareness, active involvement and respect for wild land and wild places

– Develop and promote the John Muir Award across the UK,especially for the young and socially disadvantaged

– Work with people and communities that live alongside areas of wild land for mutual benefit

– Engage our members and the wider public in the activities and ambitions of the Trust, the benefits of realising this Visionand the ethos of John Muir

It’s a big ambition, but we’re not alone. We have thousands ofmembers behind us. And more and more people are coming tounderstand that wildness is a necessity in our lives – spiritually,economically and practically.

ENJOYING THE TRANQUILLITYOF UPPER GLEN NEVIS

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realising our vision

Through this pledge we will help to deliver this Vision. But we cannot achieve it by just owning and managing land,influencing policies, or engaging with people through the John MuirAward. The strength and future of the Trust and our success inachieving this Vision lies in seeing the connections between theseelements.

Wildness is the common thread. John Muir emphasised its natural,spiritual and economic value 100 years ago and his words have freshresonance today. This time we need to listen and take action.

Please join us and be part of our Vision.

BLÀ BHEINN, ISLE OF SKYE

do something forwildness and make the mountains glad

john muir

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PHOTOGRAPHY:IAIN BROWNLIE ROYCOVER, 07 (TOP, MIDDLE)

KEITH BRAMEINSIDE FRONT COVER, 02/03, 07 (TOP LEFT; BOTTOM ROW), 08/09, 13 (TOP, LEFT; MIDDLE, CENTRE ANDRIGHT; BOTTOM ROW); 14/15, 16/17,18/19, 20/21

CAROL NEWBIGGIN22/23

RORY SYME13 (TOP, RIGHT)

JIM MANTHORPE04/05, 10/11

GORDON STAINFORTH07 (TOP, RIGHT), INSIDE BACK COVER

PETE CAIRNS13 (MIDDLE, TOP)

RICHARD ROWE13 (MIDDLE, LEFT)

WILD LAND MAP DATA SOURCES:COPYRIGHT ORNL LANDSCAN2008TM/UT-BATTELLE, LLC; EEACOPENHAGEN 2007; DLR 2010; ESRI2010. COPYRIGHT CEH COUNTRYSIDEINFORMATION SYSTEM 2000, THE 1991 CENSUS, CROWN COPYRIGHT.ESRC/JISC PURCHASE, © CROWNCOPYRIGHT/DATABASE RIGHT 2009.AN ORDNANCE SURVEY/EDINASUPPLIED SERVICE.

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