More than 350 troops joined around 1,000 civvies to trek Scotland’s Cairngorms nonstop over 24 hours in aid of the Army Benevolent Fund. Participants could choose from 22-, 36- or 54-mile routes – scooping a coveted gold distinction award if they managed the latter in the set timeframe.
Fourteen teams of soldiers were successful in doing so this year, including some first-timers from The King’s Royal Hussars (see right).
Team leader SSgt Struan Duncan said the event had been really enjoyable despite the changeable weather and a few injury niggles.
“It’s definitely one of the most testing things I’ve done during my 23 years’ service,” he told Soldier. “It’s very physically demanding, with less weight than Cambrian Patrol, but a faster pace and far more elevation.”
He added: “We were so well looked after by the ABF – this event is brilliantly organised. “At every single checkpoint and water stop, the team gave us everything we needed and plenty of encouragement too. I’d definitely recommend the Cateran Yomp.”
Inspired by a long-distance military training march, the event attracted walkers from the USA, Georgia, Ukraine and Denmark this year.
Those who took part raised more than £6 million. Register for the 2026 event at armybenevolentfund.org/ cateranyomp SSgt Struan Duncan and his team scooped gold by completing the challenge in 19hr 5min.
Here are two of their memorable moments.
Gleaming...
“Getting across the finish line as a team – which is exactly what we set out to do – was a real highlight. We thoroughly enjoyed this challenge.”
...Gopping
“At mile 25 we were tabbing along a loch in boggy ground with blue skies overhead when a full-on hailstorm arrived, followed by five hours of rain.”
