Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to some frequently asked questions. If your question is not answered below then please do not hesitate to contact us.
Event Information
When is it?
The Cateran Yomp will now be taking place on the 3-4 June 2023. Registration opens from 3pm on Friday 2 June 2023 at Bogles Field, followed by the Friday Feast and the safety briefing at 19:00, you must register in person and attend one of the safety briefings.
On Friday you will collect your participant number, receive a full safety briefing, enjoy the pasta party (very important carb loading!) and have the chance to meet fellow Yompers before your challenge starts the following morning.
Where is the event held?
In the heart of Perthshire starting and ending in Blairgowrie. The main event hub is located in Bogles Field, Essendy Road, Blairgowrie, Perthshire, Scotland, PH10 6QU (grid reference NO168439).
How much does it cost to take part in the Cateran Yomp?
If you sign up before the end of November, our Early Early bird offer is £60 for military or ex-military and £80 for individual. The registration fee is non-refundable.
Our early bird registration is £99pp for individuals (£80pp for military or ex-military) and runs from 1st December to 28th February.
Where can I stay?
Your registration fee includes access to our campsite at the main event hub in Blairgowrie (hot showers and toilets) or of you prefer please visit visiteastperthshire.co.uk/wheretostay for details on local hotels and B&B’s
When does the campsite open?
Access to the campsite will be available from 14:00 on Friday 2 June until 13:00 on Sunday 4 June. Toilet facilities will be available throughout; hot showers will be available from 18:00 on Friday 2 June until 12:00 on Sunday 4 June.
Why do I need a support team?
Your support team is there to carry any extra kit, a change of clothes, your favourite snacks, meet you at various checkpoints as a friendly face and moral support and to take you home if you need to retire at any point on the route. Every team taking part needs a support team in order to help them complete the challenge. The support team is there to look after and encourage the participants as they complete the Yomp.
Does my support team need to pay a registration fee?
No, they do not need to pay anything and we want them to feel part of the event, they are extremely important so up to 2 support team crew will receive breakfast on the Saturday morning and dinner at checkpoint 3 – Kirkton of Glenisla on Saturday evening. They are also welcome to the evening feast/full Scottish breakfast back at the start/finish line when the team has completed the Yomp. If you have more than 2 support crew they can buy further tickets for your friends and family for just £5 per meal.
What’s included in the registration fee?
Your registration fee includes delicious food and drink across the weekend from breakfast on the Saturday morning, throughout the route and finishing up with a full Scottish breakfast on the Sunday morning.
The Friday Feast takes place on Friday 2 June. For just £10 you can have pasta, salad, garlic bread and soft drinks – the perfect carb loading before your big challenge! You can purchase as many passes as you like during the online registration process. Your registration fee also includes camping over the weekend with toilets and hot showers, support from Yomp HQ in the build up, full training plans, activities around the route, goody bags, t-shirts and that well deserved medal at the end!
Can I take part on my own?
The Yomp is a team event so people must walk in teams of a minimum of 3, however you can register as an individual and a just before the event Yomp HQ will get in touch and match you up with similar abilities and completion times.
Why do I need to take part in a team?
This is for safety reasons; it is a 24hr event so we cannot have people walking on their own in remote Scotland in the dark and in an area where the weather can change very quickly. You will need a minimum team size of 3 at all times.
Can my company enter a team?
Yes, and we have two different package options available for company teams. More details of these can be found by contacting Katy Wildman on kwildman@soldierscharity.org or call 020 7811 3201.
Is there an age restriction?
The minimum age is 16 for completing the bronze distance and 18 for the silver or gold distance. There is no upper age limit, as long as you are fit and able we would love to have you!
Route information
What is the route?
The 54 mile circular route starts and ends in Blairgowrie. At 54 miles the route will lead you across some of the country’s most scenic landscapes passing through Kirkmichael, Spittal of Glenshee and Kirkton of Glenisla. You will be immersed in the farmlands of Strathardle, the rugged peaks of Glenshee, Lochs Beanie, Auchintaple and Shandra, the fertile farmlands of Glen Isla and finally the fantastic open views over the idyllic pastoral scenes from Alyth.
How far is it?
You can take on one of three distances, Bronze – 22 miles, Silver – 36 miles or the full 54 mile gold route.
How do I get to the start?
The main event hub is located in Blairgowrie, Bogles Field, Essendy Road, Blairgowrie, Perthshire, Scotland, PH10 6QU this is where the campsite is located, registration on the Friday afternoon/evening and parking throughout the weekend.
Getting ready
Do I need to train?
Yes! We will provide you with a 3 month Yomp training guide which you will receive in advance to allow you to plan. New for 2023, you will also receive a training plan covering the months 6-9 month time period pre-Yomp to get your body ready to start the full training plan!
What should I bring?
A detailed participant pack will be provided in the lead up to the event which will have details of a full compulsory kit list.
Fundraising
What is the fundraising target?
We ask that each participant raises a minimum of £400 per person. This money goes towards helping soldiers, veterans and their families.
Why do I have to raise money and where does it go?
The Yomp is a charity fundraising event for ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, with the money raised going towards helping soldiers, veterans and their families in times of greatest need. Find out more about who we’ve helped on our ‘stories’ section.
Can I get help reaching the sponsorship target?
Of course, Yomp HQ is always at the end of the phone so please drop us an email yomp@soldierscharity.org or give us a call 020 7811 3223. We can help with ideas, answer your queries and provide you with any fundraising materials you may need – collection tins, t-shirts, wristbands etc. We are here to help you!
What happens if I do not reach the minimum sponsorship target?
All we can ask is that everyone tries their best to reach their target of £400 pp. Most people find that once they start fundraising they not only reach the target but go far beyond as it is such a great challenge to take on and of course we are here to help you along the way with anything you need. You also have up to two months after the event to continue to raise the money once you have completed the challenge.
How do I apply for matched funding from my employer?
Many companies will match up to 100% of the donations you collect. Each company has a different policy and so please contact your HR or corporate social responsibility teams to find out more.
Is Gift Aid included in my sponsorship target?
ABF The Soldiers’ Charity policy, like that of many other charities, is that Gift Aid is not included in minimum sponsorship targets.
Can I fundraise online?
Absolutely – online fundraising is a fantastic way for you to collect sponsorship from your friends, family and colleagues, particularly those you don’t see every day. From your donors’ point of view, it is a quick, easy and secure method of donating. When you register for the event an online fundraising page is automatically created for you. This is your page, add your picture, write some text about what you’re doing and why, set your fundraising target, then send the link out to everyone you have ever met so that they can sponsor you easily and securely.
Can we fundraise jointly as a team?
Yes – it can make your fundraising target easier to meet if you fundraise together. You will even have a team fundraising page which is created automatically when you register as a team. Just remember that the sponsorship requirement is £400 per person, so if four of you fundraise together, you need to raise £1600 between you.
I’ve collected in my sponsorship money and have some cash and cheques. How can I pay everything in?
Cheques should be made payable to ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, and can be sent to us at:
Cateran Yomp
ABF The Soldiers’ Charity
Mountbarrow House
12 Elizabeth Street
London
SW1W 9RB
If you have cash, please bank it and send us a cheque from your account or sponsor yourself on your online fundraising page.
When you send money in to us, please ensure that you write your name and ‘Cateran Yomp’ on the back of each cheque, and if you know your team’s name, add that too. This will ensure that money is allocated to your sponsorship total.
If after reading through the FAQ’s you still have some queries, please do not hesitate to drop us an email or give us a call – it’s what we are here for.
Email us or call 020 7811 3223
