The exhibition takes its title from pioneer environmentalist John Muir's classic book 'Steep Trails', a volume of Muir's collected letters and essays. Born in Dunbar, Muir immigrated to America in the mid 19th century where he became famouse as one of the founders of the National Park system. He later traveled to China to study forestry and collect indigenous seeds for futher botanical study. Steep Trail uses this historic link as a departure point for making a contemporary link between both Scotland and China, and at a pivotal time of major discussions concerning the environment.