John O'Groats Tourist Information

Visit John O'Groats

John O'Groats is the iconic point for the most northerly point on mainland Britain. In actual fact Dunnet Head nearby is further north but let's not spoil the tradition.

Along with Land's End in Cornwall John O'Groats is often the end of the long travelled road for many a charity hike. Ironically the John O'Groats sign is privately owned by a Cornwall based company. Just for the record the distance from Land's End to John O'Groats is anywhere from between 875-1,111 miles depending on how scenic a route you take. Once you get there you'll get some fantastic views across the treacherous Pentland Firth to Stroma and the Orkney Islands. This is one of the main migration routes so you can see a lot of different birds passing though as well as gannets diving offshore.

In recent years John O'Groats village has been updated to capture all interests that visiting tourists might have. There is now a large free car park with a range of gift and souvenir shops, cafes and a Tourist Information Office at County Road, John O'Groats, Wick, Caithness KW1 4YR. Tel: 01955 611373. Fax: 01955 611448. Open Easter-October.

It might not be the grand finale to a long trip where a fanfare heralds your arrival, but there is something satisfying about having made it this far north. It's always going to be fun sending a postcard postmarked John O'Groats. Go to the John O'Groats Post Office on the junction of the A99 and Duncansby Head roads to get your mail franked by traditional machine. Tel: 01955 611200. There are caravan and camping sites nearby and a selection of B&B, guest house and hotel accommodation in John O'Groats village and around the nearby farmland.

John O'Groats Ferries

John O'Groats Ferries run a service from John O'Groats in the far north east of Scotland to Burwick on South Ronaldsay which is connected to Mainland Orkney by the Churchill Barriers. The ferry crossing takes just 40 minutes. A connecting coach takes you to Kirkwall once on Orkney.

They also offer tours of Orkney, including ones from Inverness, as well as a 90 minute Wildlife Tour around the Caithness coastline and Stroma in the Pentland Firth. Services run every day from 1 May to 30 September. Two services each way run throughout most of the year around four from July to September. Check their website for the latest details on crossings and prices. Email to make a booking.

John O'Groats Ferries Limited, The Ferry Office, John O'Groats, Caithness KW1 4YR. Tel: 01955 611353 or 01955 611342. Fax: 01955 611301. Email: office@jogferry.co.uk

Pentland Ferries

Pentland Ferries run a ferry crossing from Gills Bay, west of John O'Groats in Caithness to St Margaret's Hope on South Ronaldsay, Orkney.

The crossing takes just an hour and four run a day in summer and three in winter. Fewer crossings run on Sundays. Check their website for the latest details on crossings and prices. The ferries take both foot passengers and vehicles but you do need to book in advance.

Phone or book online by contacting Pentland Ferries, Pier Road, St Margaret's Hope, Orkney KW17 2SW. Tel: 01856 831226.

Duncansby Head - Caithness Coastal Walks Scotland

While you're over at this end of the country don't miss Duncansby Head two miles east from John O'Groats, and the most easterly tip of the UK mainland. There is a fabulous walk from the car park near the David Stevenson lighthouse along the cliffs with views of the Orkneys and the striking coastline. From the car park itself you can get some good views back along the coastline to John O'Groats and Dunnet Head.

The most famous feature to look out for are the Stacks of Duncansby, the eroded cliffs that form "the witches hats". Three triangular stacks that are gradually forming in to arches. These are amazing and one of the most memorable coastal sights in Scotland. There are also stacks of stripy red sandstone that jut out of the sea near the land and huge cave inlets .

The cliffs are home to a variety of seabirds and you're likely to see fulmars, guillemots, razorbills, puffins, kittiwakes, black guillemots, shag, great skuas and Arctic skuas. You'll often see seals in the bay here. Watch them as you walk round the bay as they follow you with their gaze - truly inquisitive creatures.