Ultimate Guide to Things to Do in John O’Groats

Is there anywhere as wild and wonderful as John O’Groats? This rugged destination has a beauty all its own, with stunning coastline for dramatic wandering, mysterious ruins for exploring, amazingly varied wildlife for watching, and so much more! Beautiful beaches spread out under craggy cliff faces, and the view is breath-taking everywhere you look in John O’Groats. Things to see include impressive coastal stacks, pristine white beaches, enchanting forests, a lovingly restored castle and, if you time it right, the Northern Lights. It is such a truly lovely place to visit, fascinating in its extremes and varied in activities, that we have created this John O’Groats guide to help you make the most of your time in this gorgeous spot. 

John O’Groats: Things to Do First

There is certainly a touristy element to this windswept locale, so you may want to get those spots out of the way first, before digging deeper into all the area has to offer. By far the tourist spot with the highest gimmick factor is the John O’Groats signpost. Installed in 1964 to mark the tip of mainland UK, this iconic sign is one of the most photographed in the UK. While there was initially a charge to photograph it, visiting and taking photos of this signpost is now free of charge. Just to the east of John O’Groats is Duncansby Head, which is actually the true tip of the mainland, a mile or two past the John O’Groats sign. Perched on high cliffs, this location holds a lighthouse that was built in 1924. Taking a single track road to John O’Groats, you will come to the light house, from which you can see views north over Orkney, and then west to John O’Groats and Dunnet Head, from the car park. This is where most tourists stop, but the truly worthwhile things to see while you are at Duncansby Head, though, are Thirle Door and the Stacks of Duncansby, just past the Geo of Sclaites. The Geo of Sclaites is a cleft in the cliffs, southward, reached by walking behind the lighthouse and over the highest part of the surrounding landscape. Thirle Door is a rocky arch, just beyond the cleft, and the Stacks of Duncansby are a group of jagged sea stacks, creating a magical view that changes as you move along the clifftop path. 

Outdoor Activities and Trips

If there is one thing that is abundant in John O’Groats, it is the opportunity for outdoor exploration. From coastal walks to wildlife watching, from exploring villages to discovering the beautiful bays and beaches, there is something for everyone looking for outdoor fun. 

• Walkers and hikers have an abundance of options here. The John O’Groats Trail is a challenge for athletes, a 147 mile trail stretching all the way to Inverness. Taking walkers along the East Highlands coastline, over dramatic clifftops and astonishing shorelines, with gorgeous panoramic views all along the way. You can also take a section of the trail if you are not up to the challenge of the entire thing. Near John O’Groats, you will also find Dunnet Forest, the most northerly forest in mainland UK, with walks for all skill levels, a horse trail, and a mountain bike trail. 
• There are amazing opportunities for wildlife watching in John O’Groats. Marine life, seabirds, and other wildlife are abundant. From brightly coloured puffins to soaring seabirds to grey seals and sea otters to dolphins and killer whales, there is an amazing array of animals to observe and enjoy. Some can be seen on a coastal walk, others require a wildlife cruise, both of which are readily available and easily accomplished in John O’Groats. 
• Take a day trip to the Orkney Islands. Board a ferry from John O’Groats and take a 40 minute ride across Pentland Firth, spotting a spectacular array of wildlife along the way, for an amazing day exploring the highlights of Orkney. Plenty of interesting sights await, including the Stone Age village of Skara Brae, the Ring of Brodgar, Standing Stones of Stenness, the St Magnus Cathedral, and the Italian Chapel in Burwick. 

Cultural and Historical Sites

Some of the most meaningful places to visit in John O’Groats are cultural sites. 

• The Castle of Mey is a lovely jewel of a place. Purchased by the Queen Mother in the 1950s, it was lovingly restored and is now full of her personal touches and stories. The summer home of the Queen Mother, it is still visited every August by HRH King Charles. It was one of her favourite places, and because she generously donated it to The Queen Elizabeth Castle of Mey Trust in 1996, it is now open to the public from mid-May to September’s end. Visitors are welcomed, to enjoy the interior rooms and gardens just as she left them, offering remarkable access to a Royal home. The grounds hold acres of beautiful gardens to explore, as well as a visitor’s centre, tearoom, shop, and children’s farm animal centre. 
• The Gallery at John O’Groats displays a variety of local arts and crafts. This affords visitors the opportunity to pick up a particularly meaningful memento from their visit to John O’Groats. You will find interesting objects here, like driftwood furniture and handmade glass items, as well as fresh, locally-sourced produce. The gallery also offers family-friendly activities, including treasure trails, geocaching, sand art, and workshops for adults.
• Head slightly out of John O’Groats for historical sites. During her summers at the Castle of Mey, the Queen Mother attended Canisbay Parish Church, four minutes outside of town. Open to visitors during the summer, this church has a rich history, and houses the grave of Jan de Groot, the man after whom John O’Groats was named. Further afield, but still only about a 15 minute drive away, is Old Keiss Castle, on a cliff edge over the North Sea, looking as though it may crumble into the sea at any moment. 

Adventure and Sports

For the adventurous and athletic, John O’Groats is a wonderland. Of course, this is the spot known for being the end of the Land’s End to John O'Groats, a route for cycling, running, walking, and swimming, so it is no surprise that the area is appealing to athletes. Spectacular walks and cold water surfing on the gorgeous coastline are popular here, but there is also more to explore. 

• Sea Kayaking offers a unique vantage point for experiencing the stunning coastline. It affords you to see incredible places otherwise unreachable, exploring caves and inlets you might not have even known they existed. 
• John O’Groats is famous for cycling because of the LEJOG. This is an extremely ambitious ride, spanning about 1,000 miles and taking about two weeks to complete, going from the southern tip of England to the northern tip of Scotland. Even if you are not quite up to a ride of that magnitude, John O’Groats has some great places to cycle. 

Family-Friendly Activities

• John O’Groats ferries operate during the summer. You can take a ferry out to the Orkney Islands, across Pentland Firth, for a magical day of exploration and fun. There are also wildlife cruises along the Caithness coastline, and speedboat tours for an adrenaline rush that’s safe for the family. 
• Local farms and petting zoos are always a fun place to take the family. John O’Groats has one of the best, Puffin Croft Petting Farm and Farm Store. No, there are no puffins to pet, but there are friendly donkeys, goats, sheep, pigs, miniature ponies, rabbits, and more, eager to meet your family. There’s also a farm shop with home made pies, cakes, jams, jellies, candles, and soaps, as well as fruit, vegetables, and unique products from around Scotland. 

Practical Information Regarding Accommodation

When you are seeking accommodation in John O’Groats, you will find no better spots than those offered by Together Travel. We invite you to stay in one of our remarkably luxurious contemporary self-catering lodges and apartments, thoughtfully designed to provide ultimate comfort. The “Inn” building, which houses bespoke self-catering apartments, each uniquely designed and appointed, was once the original John O’Groats hotel, built in 1875. Carefully restored and given a new Norse style extension, the inn now gives a distinctive and dramatic pop of colour to the wild, coastal landscape. A mixture of old and new styling greets guests inside, with all the luxurious, high-quality facilities you would expect from Together Travel. If you prefer a lodge, we offer 3-bedroom sea view lodges, each with spectacular views, extensive glass wall frontage, and a large wooden deck with outdoor furniture perfect for watching the Aurora Borealis. The warmth of the in-built wood-burners will be perfect on a wild weather day, keeping your toasty while you relax in the deep, comfortable sofas of the lounge. 

Let Together Travel Bring Your Holiday Dreams to Life

John O’Groats is an iconic Highland destination, full of captivating natural beauty, adventurous outdoor activities, and scenery to take your breath away. When you book a stay with Together Travel, you can enjoy all the wild and exciting opportunities that John O’Groats has to offer, from the comfort of a luxurious holiday spot. No matter where you want to travel in the UK, Together Travel Co. is here to bring your holiday dreams to life, with luxurious, comfortable, unique properties located wherever you want to be. Find out how we can make your trip amazing by contacting our expert concierge team at +44(0)1625 416430 or emailing us for more information.