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Village in Highland, Scotland
Photo: David Dixon, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
John o'Groats (Gaelic: Taigh Iain Ghròt) is a village in the former county of Caithness on the far north coast of Scotland. With a population of about 300, it makes its living from tourism, as it's the traditional north terminus of the British mainland road network.
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It was built as a defensive tower house around 1570, and down the years transitioned into a genteel residence, when it was called Barrogill Castle. It was derelict in 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 as a summer home. The interior you see now is Edwardian-plus-Sanderson wallpaper. It's in the keeping of the Duke of Rothesay, which is how the Prince of Wales likes to be styled when he's in Scotland. He and Camilla continue to visit late July to early Aug so the castle is closed then, check website for dates. With extensive gardens and views towards Orkney.
Charming and totally authentic crofting cottage. It was built in 1850 and occupied (and very little altered) by the family until 1990, when Mary Ann Calder retired to a nursing home, dying six years later on the eve of her 99th birthday. So what you see now is a real depiction of a traditional way of life on these windswept farmlands.
Scotland’s most northerly mainland whisky distillery offers tasting tours (£15-24 per person).
Clean, friendly and efficient.
The historic hotel by the harbour was built in 1875. Several colourful lodges have been bolted on, sort-of Tobermory meets Faeroes whaling station, for luxury self-catering. They still offer conventional short-stay hotel rooms.
Comfortable mid-range place with decent dining and selection of whisky.
Simple peaceful B&B.
Bright, comfortable, family run guest house, from the road it looks like a retro-50s diner.
By bus
Bus 77 runs from Wick to John o'Groats, three times M-F taking 30 min, and in summer a couple of extra buses continue to Gills Land for the ferry.
By boat
There are three routes from the Orkney Islands:
The village is tiny and only takes a few minutes to walk around. You need wheels for the outlying sights, though Bus 80 is just-about frequent enough for Castle of Mey and Dunnet Head.
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