Celebrating our 40th Anniversary: exhibition in Wild Space

This July and August, pop into our Wild Space Visitor Centre in Pitlochry to explore the Trust's 40 year history and glimpse our vision of a world where wild places give nature, people and communities the freedom to thrive​ - plus daily 2pm viewings of our new Clear on Deer film.

The John Muir Trust was established in 1983 to help safeguard the natural beauty of wild places for future generations. Our founders were pioneers, leading the way in securing access to these landscapes for all to enjoy, as well as giving local communities a voice in land management.

From Skye to Ben Nevis, Sandwood Bay to Helvellyn, and across the four nations of the UK, whether urban inner cities or remote rural communities, the Trust exists to protect and restore wild places for the benefit of nature, people and communities.

You are invited to join us for a unique exhibition at our gallery and visitor centre in Pitlochry, which delves into our 40-year history and highlights some key milestones along the way, and articulates our bold ambitions for the future of wild places.

This exhibition is more than just a history of the John Muir Trust: it is an interactive and informative story about the landscapes you love, where you can explore the wonders of carbon-absorbing peatland; be inspired by the communities working to improve their local economies; and learn how connecting with wild places is changing peoples' lives.

There will be activity sheets for families to get outside in the local area, and a chance to tell us your favourite wild place and enter a prize draw.  

Clear on Deer film

As part of the exhibition, we will be showing the new Clear on Deer film - a 30-minute documentary film fronted by nature presenter Libby Penman, who travels across Scotland to meet a range of people to hear different voices and perspectives, and discover the views, logic and rationale behind the changes to deer management in Scotland. To book: click here

40th anniversary magazine  

Everyone who visits can also take away a copy of 40 Years of Wild Ambition - our special 40th anniversary magazine - full of investigative features on issues facing wild places written by individuals who’ve worked with us in the past and those who will take over from us in the future.  

Four volunteers – Carol, Derek, Jessie and Marissa – read through all our publications from the last 40 years, and agreed on six main themes for discussion in the publication. They wrote articles on working with communities, land management, education and the benefits of wild places, which sit alongside a selection of interviews and features which examine our history in the light of current developments. 

• Exhibition entry and film showing: FREE 
• How to book: click here
• Opening times: 
  July to August 2023
  Monday, Wednesday - Saturday - 10am to 4.30pm 
  Sundays - 10am to 3pm. Closed Tuesdays
• Getting there:
  Wild Space is located on the corner of Atholl Road and Station Road in the centre of Pitlochry, PH16 5AN