National Park founder Muir hailed in US

THE Scot who founded America's National Parks and went on to become a household name in the United States was celebrated at a special Scotland Week event yesterday.

Dunbar-born John Muir, whose commitment to conservation led to the creation of the Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks in the 19th century, was hailed as an environmental visionary in a speech by education secretary – and former environment minister – Michael Russell.

In his address to the prestigious Sierra Club in San Francisco – which was founded by Mr Muir in 1892 – Mr Russell said: "John Muir is known to almost everyone in the United States but is less well-known in the country of his birth."