Brave walkers gathered in east Perthshire on Saturday for a test to push them to the limits of their physical and mental endurance.
The third annual Alliance Trust Cateran Yomp saw hundreds of entrants trek through up to 52 miles of rugged Tayside terrain.
While some dropped away at bronze (22 miles) and silver (36.5 miles) checkpoints, those who pushed through to the gold stage finish line travelled overnight in a bid to complete the route within 24 hours.
The yomp a military term for a long-distance march saw teams of hardy hikers make their way north through Kirkmichael to Spittal of Glenshee, where the first set of medals were awarded.
Those journeying on crossed the hills into Angus and began the weary slog south, seeing a few more friends leave them at Kirkton of Glenisla where silver gongs were awarded and back to Blairgowrie.
The route was also completed by teams of super-fit Gurkhas and the Alliance Trust running team, who have struck up a fiercely competitive race to finish first.
The Alliance Trust team retained the honour this year, knocking an hour off their 2012 time to finish the 52 miles in an incredible 10 hours and 25 minutes.
The event raised £350,000 for ABF The Soldiers’ Charity and Alliance Trust, which supports The Prince’s Trust (Scotland) and local charities.
One of those taking part was 74-year-old Bill Jackson from Perth, although he said he was “disappointed” to reach the Spittal of Glenshee and not the full route.
Bill, who spent 23 years in the military, said: “I was disappointed but I was shivering by that time possibly due to the cold wind.”Wonderful support helped us go the extra milesTeam Courier set off at 7am full of vim and vigour, writes Jack McKeown.
Predicted thunder and heavy rain never arrived, leaving us with a cool, still day perfect for walking…and walking…and walking.
At the bronze 22-mile stage the only female member of our crew bowed out due to injured knees. The afternoon brought Loch Beanie, with postcard scenery but energy-sapping, sock-soaking ankle-deep marshes.
At 9.45pm we reached the 36.5-mile silver checkpoint, losing two more of Team Courier to exhaustion.
Then it was on into the gathering darkness.
At 40 miles I still felt strong and confident but then tiredness kicked in. My body started shutting down and the last 12 miles passed in a blur of endless strides, aching feet, night, then emerging dawn.
At 5.45am, after more than 22 hours of near-constant walking, we reached the end. Food, drink and massages laid on by the organisers helped hugely, as did the amazing moral support from everyone involved.
As we turned towards home a yomper hobbled towards the finish line, dragging one foot behind him. The pain etched across his face was eclipsed by his triumph.