Taking part in the Cateran Yomp Gold Distinction while on duty.
The below information is designed to provide as much of the required information for internal military paperwork. It is not exhaustive and should be used in conjunction with ASCO 1209The Cateran Yomp GOLD DISTINCTION is an award within the wider Cateran Yomp event, only available to serving members of the British Army.
Gold Distinction is a designated event within ASCO 1209 which can be considered for authorisation as a comparable activity which is not categorised as adventurous training or sport.
More information on Gold Distinction can be found here.
This is a general page designed to provide as much of the basic information required for admin orders as possible. If your Unit requires more detailed information on any aspect of the event please call 0207 811 3223 or e-mail yomp@armybenevolentfund.org.
The Cateran Yomp comprises a 54-mile march though the Cairngorm foothills over a maximum of 24Hrs. The regiment will be submitting a team in order to improve the resilience of personnel while increasing the Regiments profile in the public eye. The event develops characteristics sought to instill in personnel through basic training.
SP will be tested both physically and mentally through arduous terrain. In order ot comply with ASCO 1209 there is no fundraising requirement for serving personnel but any and all funds raised by the event are retained by the Army Benevolent Fund
Event Information
Event name: Cateran Yomp Gold Distinction:
Date: 6-7 June 2026
Location: Cairngorm Mountains, Blairgowrie, Perth and Kinross, Scotland
Required timings
05 Jun 2026
Onsite NLT 18:30 for event safety briefing at 19:00
06 Jun 2026
Event starts from 06:00 - specific start times e-mailed in May 2025
07 Jun 2026
Finish event NLT 24 hours after start. All serving personnel and members of public offsite by 12:00
Food & Accommodation
05 Jun 2026: Food available from event organisers - £12.50 per person. Tickets must be prepurchased from the ABF via your online account
06 Jun - 07 Jun 2026: Food provided by event organisers from 05:00 06 Jun 2026 to 09:00 07 June 2026
Campsite accommodation included in registration fee, personnel must provide their own tent.
Training & Kit
Each service personnel will receive the Cateran Yomp endurance-based training program in preparation for this event.
These can be found here.
A full recommended kit list will be issued within 10 weeks of the event. A kit check will be done at the event.
On Event Support
Checkpoints and waterstops found on average every 5 miles. Medical cover available at all checkpoints and most waterstops with roving medical cover across the route.
Each team should be supported by a dedicated support team. A support team guide will be issued within 12 weeks of the event. It is the responsibility of the personnel taking part to ensure the support team have sight of this.
Medical Cover
There is professional medical cover during the event situated at all major checkpoints and most waterstops, as well as on-call for emergencies. We recommend bringing a support vehicle to also carry non- emergency medical supplies (pain relief, footcare etc). Self help should be used where appropriate.
The closest medical facilities are (as of September 2025):
Blairgowrie Community Hospital (No A&E)
Perth Road
Blairgowrie
PH10 6EE
Ninewells Hospital – Major Trauma Unit
James Arrott Drive
Dundee
DD2 1SG
Documentation
The following documentation may be useful:Preliminary Risk Assessment. This is a live document which will be updated regularly in the run up to the Cateran Yomp, particularly as ground conditions become clear. It is recommended you conduct your own full risk assessment to satisfy your chain of command.
Preliminary Risk Assessment
Other safety mitigations. Below you'll find a list of any relevant safety mitigations put in place by the event organisers. It is not an exhaustive list, and you are encouraged to contact the organisers with specific questions.
- Established, waymarked and signed route
- Printed OS maps provided to each participant
- Individual GPS trackers with live locations
- GPX and map pack of route provided
- Compulsory safety briefing
- Wave start times with individual wave briefings
- Checkpoints/waterstops approximately every 5 miles with accessible medical cover
- Live 24 hour Event Control function
- Improved radio communication facilities for core medical/safety team
- Specialist medical provision across the whole route.
- Hill safety team
- Sweep team
- Road crossings marshalled
