Nine months ago, in March of 2021, Michael Yellowlees and his Alaskan Husky, Luna started a long walk in Tofino, British Columbia. That walk would bring them all the way across the country to Newfoundland on Canada’s opposite coast.
Besides some great exercise, the two embarked on their journey to raise money for a conservation group called Trees for Life. Volunteers for the group have planted nearly 2 million native trees at dozens of different sites in Scotland.
They completed their walk on December 5th, 2021, having raised over $60,000 for Trees for Life. With the fundraising money, the charity can plant trees in the Scottish Highlands to revitalize the Caledonian Forest.
Why Canada Made For The Perfect Walk
If this walk was meant to raise money for conservation work in Scotland, why trek across Canada? Yellowlees said he wanted to draw attention to Canada’s vast forests and contrast those with the largely barren Scottish Highlands.
“It’s quite a barren, sad-looking landscape. It shouldn’t look like that at all. It used to be forested from coast to coast.”
As Yellowlees and Luna made it to the Cape Spear Lighthouse in Newfoundland on December 5th, a crowd gathered to celebrate their inspirational journey. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke, thanking the two for their mission:
“Michael chose Canada for this mission due to the many Scots who left their homeland generations ago, settled here, and contributed significantly to the fabric of our country. He was also inspired by the many and vast beautiful natural environments Canada continues to enjoy and protect.”
Along the way, the pair enjoyed the company of supportive people and fans. As Yellowlees told CTV News:
“People have been absolutely amazing across Canada by coming out and showing their support and bringing food to the roadside. The hospitality and friendship I’ve been shown has been breathtaking.”
Nine Months Of Challenges And Companionship
A Just Giving page set up for Yellowlees and Luna’s trip introduced their plans back in March:
“We will be leaving Tofino on the west coast of Vancouver Island on the Pacific Ocean and travelling approximately 5000 miles on foot following the Canadian trail eastwards to Newfoundland and the Atlantic Ocean. A long walk to home!”
Even as he walked through freezing rain and snow, Scottish native Yellowlees wore a kilt the whole way. Luna, a Husky, managed the chilly trek with ease.
“They’re bred for distance. The mileage we covered every day is minimal for a dog like Luna. She’s been amazing.”
The dog also took breaks and rested when needed. One relatively long “vacation” for Luna came after a scare where she went missing in early July. The pair got separated in dense brush in “an extremely remote and isolated area in North Western Ontario.”
Since Luna disappeared while wearing her lead, Yellowlees especially worried she might be stuck on something in the thick forest. Fortunately, Luna was found after seven days, returning to the site where she had disappeared.
Following a vet visit and some rest, Luna was totally fine. On July 30th, Yellowlees posted from the Facebook page dedicated to their adventures about his decision to let Luna rest for a little while and catch up with him again later:
“Although it is already so so strange not having her by my side (and it was actually very emotional handing her over) I am very very happy with the decision. We still have a very long way to go and I think its very much okay and important that my beautiful girl gets the rest she needs.”
An Incredible Journey
In the end, this huge walk was a massive accomplishment both philanthropically and physically. Plus, there’s no better companion for a walk across a continent than a dog.
Thanking Yellowlees and Luna for their huge undertaking, Trees for Life shared:
“We are in awe of what Michael has done. Not only has he raised an unbelievable £38,500 to help restore nature in the Scottish Highlands, but he has brought our rewilding work to a huge new audience in Canada.”
Toledo, United States.
