John o'Groats

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

  address: County Road
  Information on travel, accommodation, local services and emergency services - also stocks a range of books, maps, gifts and souvenirs.

By car

This is the only direct means to get to John o'Groats. It is located at the end of the A99, which branches from the main A9 Inverness to Thurso road at the village of Latheron, going via the neighbouring town of Wick. If you are arriving via the Orkney Islands, you follow the A939 due east from Thurso.
If you are driving from the Central Belt, bear in mind that this is an extremely remote part of Scotland, the total distance from Glasgow/Edinburgh is almost - think about it - the same distance as say the Midlands of England. From the Central Belt to Inverness is around 2.5-3hours, reckon on another 2 hours to make the 110 mile journey to Caithness as the A9 becomes a rural single carriageway north of the Black Isle.

By boat

Get a ferry from the Orkney Islands.

• John o' Groats Ferries passenger ferry sails from Burwick to John o' Groats (summer only).
• Pentland Ferries vehicle and passenger ferry sails from St Margaret's Hope to Gills Bay (5km west of John o' Groats).
• And see Thurso for the Scrabster-Stromness ferry.

• Castle of MeyBuilt 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.

• Dunnet HeadActually 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 HeadThe 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 EndThe 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

  phone: +44 1955 611353
  90 minute afternoon cruise. Wildlife spotted can include puffins, skuas, guillemots, and grey seals.
• 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

  phone: +44 1955 611400
  the most northerly food takeaway on the island of Great Britain

• John o' Groats Guest House

  phone: +44 1955 611251
  address: John o' Groats, Caithness, KW1 4YR
  A comfortable, family run guest house.

• Natural Retreats John o' Groats

  phone: +44 1625 416430
  Historic hotel next to the harbour, built in 1875. It has now been refurbished as luxury self-catering apartments and lodges.

• Seaview Hotel

  phone: +44 1955 611220
  address: KW1 4YR

• 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