Edinburgh lecturer goes for fourth gold in 54-mile charity endurance challenge
Laura Kidd, from Edinburgh, is gearing up to achieve the ultimate challenge – completing the Army Benevolent Fund’s gruelling 24-hour hike, the Cateran Yomp, for the fourth time.
The Cateran Yomp is one of Scotland’s toughest tests of endurance – with participants walking non-stop for 22 (bronze), 36 (silver) or 54 miles (gold) over 24 hours to support soldiers, veterans and their families.
Based on the infamous long-distance military training march, the event attracts people from across the globe to trek the glens and foothills of the Cairngorm Mountains. The Army Benevolent Fund (ABF) is the Army’s national charity and is expecting over 1,200 people to take part in the Yomp which takes place on 6th and 7th June 2026.
Laura is a lecturer at the University of Edinburgh Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, and completed her first Yomp in 2019 with her sister, Nina. Laura says: “I wanted to test myself and I liked the idea of being guided around the Cairngorms as I don’t trust my own navigation skills! We both instantly signed up again – having been blown away by the loveliness of the ABF and how well-organised the event was.”
Laura has now bagged a total of three gold medals for completing the full 54 miles of the Yomp, joined first by her sister, and then with friends, Gillian and Gilly, and one of her daughters, Rosie. She has been marching the hills of Edinburgh in preparation for her fourth attempt which she aims to complete in 20 hours.
Hiking through the day and night along the scenic but challenging route along the Cateran Trail is testing for the fittest and hardiest soldier. What keeps participants going is the camaraderie and food and drink along the way and knowing that every step they take is supporting soldiers, veterans and their families.
Laura and her team-mate this year, her school friend, Gilly Thomson, will join others setting off at dawn from Blairgowrie, Perthshire on Saturday 6th June, the anniversary of D-Day, finishing on Sunday 7th June.
The Army Benevolent Fund was set up in 1944 so that servicemen and women returning from WWII would never face the post-war hardships experienced by veterans of the First World War. Its founding purpose remains unchanged today, and the welfare of soldiers, veterans, and their families is at the heart of its work.
Laura says: “It’s hard work! But you meet amazing people on the Yomp. Some might struggle with fitness or have sore knees, but they are doing this for their comrades – and even though it’s brutal, they keep going. I take my hat off to folk that plod on!
“I’ve loved all of the Yomps and I am really looking forward to this year’s event.”
Peter Monteith, Chief Operations Officer, Army Benevolent Fund says: “We are so grateful for the generosity of all our supporters, which enables us to offer a lifetime of support to soldiers, veterans, and their families.
“On behalf of the Army Benevolent Fund, I would especially like to thank Laura for her dedication to the charity, and to wish her and her team the best of luck at this year’s Cateran Yomp. We look forward to welcoming her to the event in June.”
The ABF is here to support the Army community through life’s challenges – such as bereavement, getting back to work, elderly care, and much more besides. Last year, the ABF supported over 80,000 veterans, soldiers and their families in the UK and 51 countries around the world through its grants to individuals and other charities.
To sign up for the event, visit Army Benevolent Fund: Cateran Yomp – Home. To support Laura’s fundraising for soldiers, veterans and their families, visit:
https://events.armybenevolentfund.org/fundraisers/laurakidd/cateranyomp2026