Nearly 1,100 people gathered in the Cairngorms on Friday 6th June, the anniversary of D-Day, to take on their “toughest ever” challenge – walking non-stop for up to 54 miles over 24 hours, to support soldiers, veterans and their families.
Based on the infamous long-distance military training march, the event attracted international participants and supporters from across the UK to hike the historic Cateran Trail in Perthshire.
As well as hundreds of civilians and veterans, more than 350 serving soldiers, – the highest number yet – took part in the 2025 Cateran Yomp. Participants faced Scotland’s famous “Four Seasons in a Day” as they trekked the Cairngorm’s hills and glens through the day and night for 22, 36, or 54 miles. This year’s youngest ‘Yomper’ was aged 16, and the oldest participant was born in August 1944, the same birth month and year as the founding of the charity.
The Cateran Yomp is now in its 14th year and, since 2011, Yomp participants and sponsors have raised over £6m for the Army Benevolent Fund (ABF)’s lifetime of support for soldiers, veterans and their families. Last year (FY 24/25,) the charity helped over 80,000 people in 52 different countries through its grants to individuals and organisations.
One of these organisations is charity, Climb 2 Recovery (C2R), which is chaired by mountaineer, Mac Mackay and receives funding from the ABF for its programmes training disabled, sick and injured veterans to climb, and to get climbing qualifications. Army veteran and mountaineer, Mac, was this year’s Yomp ambassador. Rallying participants before setting out himself this weekend, Mac described the vital funds raised by the event as ”truly lifesaving”.
Mac (69) says: “Without the help of organisations like the ABF, the work that Climb 2 Recovery does with veterans just will not happen. Congratulations to this year’s Yompers – it’s been tough, but the incredible atmosphere gets you to the finishing line and every one of you has helped the Army Benevolent Fund, which is there for soldiers, veterans and their families.”
Starting first thing on Saturday 7th June, and ending in the early hours of Sunday morning, the Yomp challenged participants from the UK, USA, Georgia, Ukraine and Denmark, to walk side by side on the 54-mile route through the UK’s national park. Serving soldiers completing 54 miles in teams of 4 in under 24 hours earn the Gold Distinction Award and over 14 teams achieved this.
Thanks to our many volunteers, support teams and local partners including the Perth Kinross and Countryside Trust and our sponsors, Arnold Clark and Castle Water, as well as the many companies which donated gifts in kind for the event, including Gin Bothy.
Reflecting on an incredible weekend, Major General Tim Hyams CB OBE, Chief Executive of the Army Benevolent Fund, said:
“At this year’s Cateran Yomp, over 1,000 people, including more than 350 serving soldiers, crossed the start line to walk or run for up to 54 miles in 24 hours across the Cairngorms.
“The Army Benevolent Fund relies on the generosity of our supporters to ensure that soldiers, former soldiers, and their families have the opportunity to avoid hardship and enjoy independence and dignity. The support we receive from individual participants, and the organisations that not only sponsor the Yomp but also encourage their staff to take part, is vital. I am extremely grateful to every single participant; all of whom have demonstrated teamwork as well as mental and physical resilience. Every single step helps our mission: to be there for soldiers, for life.”
If you would like to join us for the Cateran Yomp next year, registration is already open! Sign up today and get your Yomp on.