John o'Groats (Gaelic: Taigh Iain Ghròt) is a small village in the traditional Scottish county of Caithness and the Highlands region of Scotland.
John o'Groats is popularly thought of as the northernmost point on the mainland (the counterpart to Land's End in Cornwall) - although not actually the northernmost point (this honour belongs to Dunnet Head nearby), John o'Groats is certainly the northernmost settlement on Great Britain.
John o'Groats takes its name from one Jan de Groot, a Dutchman who obtained a grant for the ferry from the Scottish mainland to the Orkney Islands, recently acquired from Norway, from the Scottish King James IV in 1496.
- John o'Groats Tourist Information Centre, County Road, +44 1955 611373. open Easter-October. Information on travel, accommodation, local services and emergency services - also stocks a range of books, maps, gifts and souvenirs.
John o'Groats Tourist Information Centre, County Road, +44 1955 611373. open Easter-October. Information on travel, accommodation, local services and emergency services - also stocks a range of books, maps, gifts and souvenirs.
- Castle of Mey. May to Sept daily (but closed 24 July-6 Aug) 10:00-17:00. Built as a tower house in the 16th C, and derelict by 1952 when it was bought by Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother (1900-2002) shortly after the death of her husband King George VI, and restored by her over the following years. Adult £12, conc £10, child £6.50.
- Dunnet Head. Actually the northernmost point in Great Britain. There is a lighthouse at the end of the headland, and impressive sea cliffs. Great views across the sea to Orkney.
- Duncansby Head. The most north-easterly point in Great Britain. It also has a lighthouse and sea cliffs, as well as sea stacks.
- See Orkney from here. To the north, cloud-wreathed Hoy is seen to the west, and low-lying pastoral South Ronaldsay to the east. The little islands in between are uninhabited and have no transport. These are Swona just west of South Ronaldsay, and Stroma (larger and west) and Muckle Flugga (tiny and east) closer in: these latter two are part of Caithness not Orkney, but the sheep don't care.
Castle of Mey. May to Sept daily (but closed 24 July-6 Aug) 10:00-17:00. Built as a tower house in the 16th C, and derelict by 1952 when it was bought by Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother (1900-2002) shortly after the death of her husband King George VI, and restored by her over the following years. Adult £12, conc £10, child £6.50.
Dunnet Head. Actually the northernmost point in Great Britain. There is a lighthouse at the end of the headland, and impressive sea cliffs. Great views across the sea to Orkney.
Duncansby Head. The most north-easterly point in Great Britain. It also has a lighthouse and sea cliffs, as well as sea stacks.
See Orkney from here. To the north, cloud-wreathed Hoy is seen to the west, and low-lying pastoral South Ronaldsay to the east. The little islands in between are uninhabited and have no transport. These are Swona just west of South Ronaldsay, and Stroma (larger and west) and Muckle Flugga (tiny and east) closer in: these latter two are part of Caithness not Orkney, but the sheep don't care.
- Go to Land's End. The journey from Land's End to John o' Groats (or vice versa) has been undertaken by many individuals as a personal challenge, and to raise funds for good causes. The usual on-road distance is about 1400 km (900 miles), but it can be much longer, depending on the route chosen. It is usually done by walking or cycling, but it has also been done by running, on a horse, driving, or by public transport.
- Wildlife Cruise on the John o' Groats Ferry, +44 1955 611353. Daily at 14:30, June to August. 90 minute afternoon cruise. Wildlife spotted can include puffins, skuas, guillemots, and grey seals. £18.
- Mey Highland Games are held at the castle in early August. The next event is Sat 3 Aug 2019.
Go to Land's End. The journey from [[Land's End]] to John o' Groats (or vice versa) has been undertaken by many individuals as a personal challenge, and to raise funds for good causes. The usual on-road distance is about 1400 km (900 miles), but it can be much longer, depending on the route chosen. It is usually done by walking or cycling, but it has also been done by running, on a horse, driving, or by public transport.
Wildlife Cruise on the John o' Groats Ferry, +44 1955 611353. Daily at 14:30, June to August. 90 minute afternoon cruise. Wildlife spotted can include puffins, skuas, guillemots, and grey seals. £18.
Mey Highland Games are held at the castle in early August. The next event is Sat 3 Aug 2019.
There is a small shop called 'First and Last' at the pier of John O'Groats.
- The Cabin at John O'Groats, +44 1955 611400. the most northerly food takeaway on the island of Great Britain
The Cabin at John O'Groats, +44 1955 611400. the most northerly food takeaway on the island of Great Britain
- Head back the other way to Land's End. It's a long walk!
- West to Thurso
- South to Wick
- Take a ferry north to the Orkney Islands