In June 2025, two 18-year-olds, Felix Ford and Liane Rouys, set off on an extraordinary journey through the Scottish Highlands. As Youth Ambassadors for The Mammal Society, they walked the full 154 kilometres of the West Highland Way—from Milngavie to Fort William—not just for the challenge, but to gather real-time data on Scotland’s native wildlife. Their goal was to raise awareness, contribute to conservation research, and show what committed young people can do when they care deeply about the natural world.
Each day of their journey brought new terrain and new wildlife encounters. Covering around 20 to 25 kilometres per day, the pair navigated everything from open moorland and ancient woodland to mountainous stretches near Glen Coe. They weren’t just ticking off miles—they were conducting hands-on field research. With the help of track-plates, notebooks and trail cameras, they recorded signs of animals including red squirrels, pine martens, deer and badgers. They also collected evidence of more elusive species like moles and hedgehogs, making their findings especially valuable for conservationists.
The effort was part of a broader push by The Mammal Society to map mammal populations across the UK. By contributing their data to the organisation’s central database, Felix and Liane helped improve understanding of how mammals use popular walking routes and how tourism, weather and changing landscapes affect their habitats. This sort of citizen science helps bridge the gap between research and real-world action. Their findings didn’t just sit in a notebook—they were shared through online platforms, contributing directly to the Mammal Society’s data-driven conservation strategies.
Enduring the Highlands’ challenges
Of course, the Highlands are not an easy place to walk, especially when you’re carrying research gear and planning to camp or sleep rough along the way. June may seem like a pleasant time to visit, but even in summer, the Highlands throw all kinds of weather at you—drizzle, fog, blustery wind and the infamous midges. But equipped with waterproofs, insect nets and a sense of purpose, Felix and Liane pushed on. Their route wound through some of the most breathtaking, yet demanding, parts of Scotland: past the shores of Loch Lomond, over the exposed wilderness of Rannoch Moor, and into the steep hills of Kinlochleven.
But what stood out most wasn’t the terrain—it was their motivation. The pair spoke to local communities and schools both before and after the hike, sharing their experience and encouraging others to get involved in conservation. Their story resonated, particularly because they weren’t professional scientists or seasoned hikers—they were ordinary teenagers doing something meaningful. By bringing their experiences to a wider audience, they inspired others to see nature not as something distant or abstract, but as something that begins on your doorstep.
The West Highland Way itself is one of the UK’s most well-known long-distance walking routes. Opened in 1980, it stretches from the outskirts of Glasgow to the base of Ben Nevis, covering everything from lowland farmland to remote glens and forest tracks. More than 30,000 people complete the trail each year, but few use the opportunity to observe and document wildlife as thoroughly as Felix and Liane did. Their journey made clear that conservation doesn’t have to happen in a lab. It can happen on footpaths, through direct observation, and by paying close attention to the ecosystems we move through.
A timely reminder about conservation
This kind of work is increasingly important. As climate change and human development continue to affect habitats across the UK, data collected by volunteers helps fill crucial gaps. According to the State of Nature 2023 report, nearly one in six species assessed in the UK is at risk of extinction. Without widespread data collection and public involvement, conservation efforts are often under-informed or delayed. By walking the West Highland Way with clipboards in hand, Felix and Liane helped push that needle forward.
The message they carried was simple but powerful: you don’t have to be a scientist to help protect the planet. What matters is getting involved. Whether it’s contributing to national surveys, reporting sightings, or simply walking more mindfully through natural spaces, anyone can play a role in conservation. And while most people won’t trek 150 kilometres to do it, their story shows that we all have the power to notice, record, and care.
Felix and Liane’s journey reminds us that the natural world needs both large-scale policy and grassroots involvement. It needs scientists in labs, yes—but it also needs teenagers with walking boots and notebooks. Their hike wasn’t just a test of endurance. It was an act of advocacy. And it was a reminder that even small acts—when done with heart, purpose and commitment—can help turn the tide for wildlife in the UK.