RSABI’s flagship annual outdoors team event, the Great Glen Challenge, is returning for 2024 and for the second-year running will be sponsored by expert legal advisors to the rural sector, Gillespie Macandrew.

Last year’s event raised over £50,000 towards the work of RSABI which provides practical, emotional, and financial support to people in Scottish agriculture. The 2024 event hopes to surpass this amount and take the total amount raised since the event was launched to over £500,000.

Now in its 12^th year, the Great Glen Challenge 2024 will take place on August 30^th when competing teams of four, plus a support driver, will take on the multi-sports event, with four designated stages set out on a scenic route between Fort Augustus and Fort William.

Competitors will cycle, kayak, walk, and run to a prize-giving reception at Neptune’s Staircase, located at the end of the route, with the designated driver picking up and dropping off fellow team members at various locations along the Great Glen Way.

As well as offering a unique team-building spirit, the Great Glen Challenge also highlights the importance of fitness in maintaining good physical and mental health.

Consisting of a 49km mountain bike, 6km kayak, 18km walk, and 17km run, the event is designed to challenge teams, encouraging dedication and teamwork from the onset of training up until the day of the event.

Registrations for the event are now open and RSABI is seeking dedicated teams to help reach its fundraising target while raising awareness of the vital services it provides, including its 24/7 Helpline, 0808 1234 555, free counselling and mental health first aid training.

As well as supporting as the official sponsor for the Great Glen Challenge for the second year running, Gillespie Macandrew is competing and volunteering at the event.

The firm, with offices in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Perth, advises clients across Scotland and the UK on all areas of land and rural business, private client, commercial real estate, energy, tax and disputes, combining a personal approach with industry-leading expertise.

Lois Newton, Partner of Land and Rural Business at Gillespie Macandrew, said: “We are delighted to once again be supporting the Great Glen Challenge and to help highlight the excellent work of RSABI. Our staff are very much looking forward to competing in this fantastic event for the third year running in the great Scottish outdoors. The Gillespie Macandrew team has significant experience of the challenges individuals and businesses face in the rural sector and we are proud to support the vital emotional, practical, and financial services RSABI provide to people in Scottish Agriculture.”

Carol McLaren, RSABI Chief Executive, said: “The 2024 challenge wouldn’t be possible without the generous sponsorship and support of Gillespie Macandrew and we are delighted to be working with them again. Our thanks also go to the volunteers who help us run the event and to all those who have both competed and sponsored teams over the years. We are really looking forward to welcoming teams on board this year and to hearing their stories about training and teamwork in the coming months. This year we are offering an early bird discount for those quick off the blocks to sign up teams and, with interest looking particularly keen this year, we are encouraging those interested to sign up quickly!”

Entries to the Great Glen challenge are now open. Teams can be submitted by completing the Sign-Up form which is available on the RSABI event page: https://www.rsabi.org.uk/event/rsabi-great-glen-challenge-2024/.