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Published: 27 Jun 2024

Fundraising: Drew's Journey for Wildness

This July Drew McNaughton is undertaking a four-week trek across Scotland - following in the footsteps of his ancestors - to reach Lì and Coire Dhorrcail in Knoydart.

Chris Townsend - Ladhar Bheinn 1

As part of the Trust’s Journey for Wildness, ranger and John Muir Award leader, Drew, will undertake an epic journey from Kenmore (east end of Loch Tay) to Lì and Coire Dhorrcail in Knoydart (pictured above). His plan is to follow the old drove roads that his ancestors would have taken as they prepared to emigrate from Scotland to Canada.

The route will take him through Glen Lyon, the Great Glen and Glen Garry and will take around a month to complete. Drew is planning to camp and will carry all his gear to reduce his impact on the wild landscape.

Drew’s family originated in Scotland at Loch Hourn, on the North side of the Knoydart Peninsula, but emigrated to Canada before moving to California where Drew spent his early childhood. By chance, the Loch Hourn area is where he ended up working as a ranger later in life, though unaware of the connection at the time. After moving to the UK age seven, and spending his time living and working in some of Scotland’s spectacular wild places, he plans to reconnect with his family’s history by undertaking this journey.

  • Donate to Drew’s Journey for Wildness through his JustGiving page where he will post updates on his progress and people he meets along the way.
  • If you’d like to walk sections of the route with Drew, you can get in touch with him via us at fundraising@johnmuirtrust.org.

2024 JfW - Drew McNaughton