John o’ Groats is the tick-list corner of the North Coast 500, the traditional end point of the long journey from Land’s End at the far south-west of Britain. Most people come for one thing above all: a photograph beside the famous signpost that points the way to distant places.
It is worth knowing that John o’ Groats is not actually the most northerly point of the mainland, that honour belongs to nearby Dunnet Head. But the little settlement has been smartened up in recent years, with colourful buildings, places to eat, and a genuinely spectacular clifftop walk just up the road.
The signpost and the settlement
The signpost is the classic John o’ Groats photo, and in season a company charges a small fee to have it customised with your name and home town. Around it you will find a cluster of shops, cafes and the striking modern extension to the old John o’ Groats hotel. In summer a passenger ferry runs from here across to Orkney.
Duncansby Head and the stacks
For many visitors the real highlight is a short drive east at Duncansby Head, where a lighthouse sits above towering sea cliffs. A short walk along the clifftop brings you to the Duncansby Stacks, a set of dramatic pointed sea stacks rising straight out of the water. It is one of the finest short coastal walks on the whole route and far quieter than the signpost.
- The famous customisable signpost
- Duncansby Head lighthouse and clifftop walk
- The pointed Duncansby Stacks out at sea
- The Mermaid of the North sculpture on the shore
A corner, not the tip
Treat John o’ Groats as a symbolic corner and photo stop rather than the true northern tip. Combine the signpost with the Duncansby Stacks walk and you get both the tick-list moment and some of the best coastal scenery in the north.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is John o’ Groats the most northerly point of mainland Britain?
No. That is nearby Dunnet Head. John o’ Groats is the traditional end point of the journey from Land’s End and the famous signpost corner, but it is not the actual northern tip.
What is there to do at John o’ Groats besides the signpost?
The best nearby walk is at Duncansby Head, a short drive east, where a clifftop path leads to the dramatic Duncansby Stacks. There is also the Mermaid of the North sculpture and a summer ferry to Orkney.
