
Welcome to John O’Groats
Introduction
John O’Groats is a small coastal village scattered over a large area and is mainly a rural farming community situated in an extreme location. There are two focal points in the village: the Post Office and Grocery store (which has a cash machine) and the Seaview Hotel. The other focus is the ‘End of the road’ harbour area, Inn, and main car park. John O’Groats as a destination has a name far bigger than the village itself so sometimes people expect a ‘town’ or more. John O’Groats isn’t a Disney World, an Alton Towers, a theme park or even like Land’s End. It is a fantastic, unspoilt location from which the adventurous can see the wonderful landscape and wildlife that is so special to this area and is the real star of the show. For the less adventurous there is still plenty to do and see at ‘the end of the road’.
Village
From the harbour area there is the famous sign post and two different wildlife trips are available in season which is the best way to view the breathtaking array of bird life on the local cliffs and on the water. You can also see seals and if you’re lucky, dolphins; Minke and Killer whales are often spotted.
Duncansby
The views across the Pentland Firth to the Orkney Islands six mile away are stunning from the top of these 200ft cliffs. The cliff tops are the perfect place to view the nesting sea birds in the inlets, ledges and on the stacks in complete safety.
There are day excursions to Orkney should you be tempted to go and get a closer view. John O’Groats has always been famous for it’s ‘end to enders’… and many stars have been here. The Natural Retreats redevelopment of the old hotel (now called the Inn at John O’Groats) opened in August 2013.