Michael and Luna - A Rewilding Journey
Michael Yellowlees, a native of Dunkeld, Scotland, and Luna, his beautiful Alaskan Husky, began their 8,000-kilometre journey across Canada in early March 2021, departing from Tofino, BC, as they set out to raise funds and awareness for a Scottish charity Trees for Life. Trees for Life’s vision is “a revitalised wild forest in the Highlands of Scotland, providing space for wildlife to flourish and communities to thrive.” Michael hopes to reach Cape Spear, Newfoundland in mid November. That’s a long long way from home!
“I got this idea very much from walking the highlands in Scotland,” says Michael, who turned 32 in early September. The cross-Canada journey was also partially inspired by the song ‘Letter from America’ written by Scottish pop group The Proclaimers. The tune, about Scottish settlers moving to the New World, asks when they will return to Scotland. The lyrics inspired Michael to come to Canada and encourage Scottish Canadians to give back to their homeland, in order to help rebuild the forests once walked by their ancestors.
Your SSO was very excited to welcome Michael and Luna to the nation’s capital on September 20th with a Picnic Gathering at Andrew Haydon Park. Michael’s wee brother Jamie had just joined him from Scotland a few days before, here to support his brother on his walk from Ottawa to Montréal. Many members of the Ottawa Caledonian Pipes and Drums, the Sons of Scotland Pipe Band and fiddlers from Cape Breton Session were joined by approximately 50 fans and SSO members to offer a warm Scottish welcome to Ottawa to the travelers. In true Scottish style, a mini-massed band led Michael into the park, welcome remarks were delivered by Heather Theoret, Vice Chair, SSO, his Tour Manager, Wayne Chisholm, described his inspiration to help Michael on his cross-Canada dream, and Michael shared his vision.
After a night of comfort in Ottawa’s castle along the Ottawa River, The Fairmont Chateau Laurier Hotel, in a kind gesture from an anonymous donor, Michael was officially welcomed to Ottawa by His Worship Jim Watson, Mayor of the City of Ottawa. The celebrations carried on with a Pub Night and Fundraiser at Deacon Brodies on Elgin Street where we learned that not only did Michael have the heart of a lion to take on such a physical and emotional challenge, he also had an amazing voice! Songs were sung, pipes were played and a few drams of whisky raised.
On behalf of all who contributed at the Andrew Haydon Park Gathering and Deacon Brodies Pub Night, the Scottish Society of Ottawa was proud to support Michael’s journey and aims to rewild the Scottish Highlands! A $500 donation was made to Michael and Luna - A Rewilding Journey in support of the Rewilding charity #TreesforLife. Tapadh Leat to all who donated! May this generosity and kindness help carry Michael across the nation. 🇨🇦 💝 🏴
The song and cheer at Deacon Brodies inspired your SSO leaders to reach out to friends down the road. A Celtic Jam Session just 100 kilometres east on Michael’s journey at The Barn, a music venue in Glengarry County was planned in record time with many of Glengarry’s finest talent — Andrew Munro, Ian MacLeod, Ashley MacLeod-McRae, Darrel MacLeod, Paddy Kelly, Nelson MacPherson, Ashley McDougall, David MacPhee, Ewen McIntosh, Stephen McIntosh, Nolan Stoqua, Brian and Liz Caddell showing up with two days notice to support‼️ Michael and Luna - and Jamie too of course - were surrounded by Glengarry’s Scottish warmth and tradition! 🎶 🎵 🎉 🤩
We hope you will enjoy this collection of photos from our celebrations of Michael and Luna’s travels through the nation’s capital.
Follow Michael and Luna’s journey on Facebook here.
Donations can be made to Trees for Life here.
