96 Miles
End-to-end across the Scottish Highlands, from the outskirts of Glasgow to the shadow of Britain’s highest peak
14 Days
An immersive fortnight of hiking, filming, storytelling, and cultural discovery through historic landscapes and villages
One Purpose
To uncover the living connections between Appalachian heritage and the Scottish traditions that gave birth to it
A Journey Across an Ocean,
Connected by Stories
In 2027, Ashley Davis and Abbey Turpin will embark on a journey along Scotland’s historic West Highland Way, exploring the people, traditions, heritage, and shared stories that connect Scotland and Appalachia.
Though separated by an ocean, these two regions are bound by generations of history, music, storytelling, resilience, and a deep sense of community. Through personal encounters, cultural exploration, and the voices of those who call these places home, Ashley and Abbey hope to uncover the threads that continue to weave these communities together.
Their journey will be documented through a feature-length documentary, photography, written narratives, social media storytelling, and other creative projects, bringing these connections to life for audiences on both sides of the Atlantic.
Two Worlds, One Story
The Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee — rolling mist, ancient hollows, Scots-Irish roots
The Scottish Highlands — rugged peaks, loch-side villages, a living Celtic heritage
Stories for the Next Generation
At the heart of this journey is a belief that stories connect us, but literacy ensures those stories live on.
Beyond documenting shared heritage, the project seeks to raise awareness of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Scotland, where approximately 241,000 children are awaiting access to a program that has helped inspire a love of reading
among generations of American children.
Through storytelling, meaningful community partnerships, and literacy-focused activities, Ashley and Abbey hope to shine a light on the importance of putting books into the hands of children and nurturing the next generation of readers,
dreamers, and storytellers.
Because the connection between Scotland and Appalachia is more than a story of where we came from. It is a story of what we choose to carry forward—and what we leave for those who come after us.
Project Sponsorship
Financial contributions to this project directly support the production, documentation, and sharing of this journey, including filmmaking, travel, photography, storytelling, and community outreach.
Presenting
$75,000
Founding
$25,000
Premium
$10,000
Platinum
$5,250
Gold
$3,500
Community
$1,750
Trail Supporter
$500
In-kInd
Negotiated
Contact us
We would love for you to be a part of the story. Reach out today to hit the trail with us in 2027!
The Kindred Trails Project Is Grateful for the Support of:
