Scotsman trekking across Canada with his dog nears Greater Sudbury
A Scotsman and his dog are on the Canadian adventure of a lifetime, walking across the country, from one end to the other.
Michael Yellowlees planned the trip for three years before taking the plunge earlier this year. He and Luna just passed the six-month part of what he's dubbed, 'Michael and Luna - A Rewilding Journey.'
"When I was first talking about it, I think a lot of people were like 'are you sure?' And I think a lot of people were thinking I was mad and to be honest, I think they're right," Yellowlees laughed.
Yellowlees is no stranger to adventures like these; he's already trekked across Spain and India. Canada is his biggest challenge yet.
He spoke with CTV News outside the trading post in McKerrow, Ont.
Armed with a guitar, cart, and an impeccable Scottish kilt, he's seeing more sights than most Canadians will in their lifetime.
"You know what, the kilt's a magical thing, I think," he said. "I was discussing this the other day. It keeps you warm when it's cold and it keeps you breezy when you're warm. It does well, the kilt, it's some good weather gear."
While this is a personal feat for the young man, he's also trying to raise funds for Trees for Life, which is helping in the regreening of Scotland's Caledonia pine forest.
Yellowlees said the forest used to stretch from coast to coast, but centuries of forestry have left the landscape decimated.
There have been struggles along his journey -- difficult terrain and horrible weather. There was even a stretch near Kenora where Luna got lost for roughly a week before she was able to find her way back to camp.
The journey has already earned him thousands of fans in Canada, the United Kingdom, and around the world.
"It takes a special person, it's not only physical ... it's mental. He's on his own with Luna and that's it," said Marie-Lyne Loubier, who's been following their journey from northern Ontario.
There is real excitement in the air about how passionate Yellowlees is about the project. His friend Wayne Chisholm said there's a contingent of Maritimers that are ready to welcome him as soon as he crosses the Nova Scotia border.
"I said you're going to enjoy the trip, a lot of it, by who you meet and how much they support you on this. And he'll tell you that's been the joy of this, regardless of the funds raised," Chisholm said.
"They've just been showing me beautiful kindness, bringing me water, bringing me meals on the road. They've been absolutely fantastic all the way, so it's been really amazing," Yellowlees said.
The mission started in Tofino, B.C., and Yellowlees said they'll continue until they reach Cape Spear, Nfld.
He's hoping to reach Sudbury by Saturday morning where he plans to walk with local MPP Jamie West. Afterward, it's off to Ottawa before he continues into Quebec.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Maple Leafs fall to Bruins in Game 3, trail series 2-1
Brad Marchand scored twice, including the winner in the third period, and added an assist as the Boston Bruins downed the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-2 to take a 2-1 lead in their first-round playoff series Wednesday
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
New Indigenous loan guarantee program a 'really big deal,' Freeland says at Toronto conference
Canada's Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland was among the 1,700 delegates attending the two-day First Nations Major Projects Coalition (FNMPC) conference that concluded Tuesday in Toronto.
'Life was not fair to him': Daughter of N.B. man exonerated of murder remembers him as a kind soul
The daughter of a New Brunswick man recently exonerated from murder, is remembering her father as somebody who, despite a wrongful conviction, never became bitter or angry.