John O’Groats

Posted on by Stephen Edwards

John O’Groats, Scotland

From Lands End to John O’Groats is the ultimate British road, cycling, or hiking trip, connecting the far south and far north of Great Britain. Granted, John O’Groats is not the furthest North point on the island, as that actually belongs to Dunnet Head, a nearby nature reserve that is home to many different types of seabirds. John O’Groats is the most northerly located village in Great Britain and serves as a different kind of reserve: the road-trip tourist trap.

The John O’Groats Sign attracts people from around the world, reminding me a lot of the Key West Southernmost Point Buoy. Here, everyone can take a turn, and there are no fees to take a picture. This photo might be the only photo of all seven of us on the trip. I returned the favor and took a photo of our cameraperson, too. I wonder how many photos I have taken of other people on their vacations over the years.

I tend to agree with Rick Steves’s assessment from his Scotland guidebook, when he writes that John O’Groats is “a total tourist trap that’s somehow also genuinely stirring.” Uncle Rick does not give the place any of his triangle recommendations, but he mentions that everyone who makes the trip ends up taking a photo with the iconic signpost. Granted, we were a short distance from our ferry terminal, so John O’ Groats was well worth a quick stop on our trip.

Adrienne captured this image of Simon and Henry outside of the main sign area. On the left, the sign reads, “John O’Groats, In every end, a new beginning.” On the right, the sign reads, “John O’Groats, Every mile a memory, every step a story.” They’re old enough now that I hope they remember a lot about their trip to Scotland. If not, I write these posts with all my sons in mind so they’ll hopefully have something to look back on in the future.

We had “lovely” Scottish Summer weather for our visit: rain and temperatures in the 50s, so many of the outside attractions had already closed for the day, including the fish and chips shop, unfortunately. Still, there was ample parking, free bathrooms, and some gift shops were still open. The parking is supposed to be a pay lot, but we asked inside because we were traveling with a blue badge, and in most places in Scotland, parking is free for Blue Badge holders. We were told we would be okay, as the parking charges are voluntary and not enforced. As of writing (September 2026), we still have not received a ticket for our July 2026 visit.

The parking lot was quite empty during our visit, but there is parking information available on the white sign.

There are some touristy places to visit, but with the weather and our need to catch the ferry in nearby Gills Bay, we took a few photos, found a couple of deals in the shop, and made our way on like many travelers before. Sometimes the tacky tourist stops are also fun, and John O’Groats is definitely worth a stop if you are at the end of Great Britain.

Having Paddington Bear show up with a jam sandwich and a sign pointed towards Peru is just too perfect for a British tour trap.

At one time, there was a seasonal passenger ferry that connected John O’Groats to Burwick on the Orkney Islands. However, that ferry is currently closed and apparently still available for sale. Buying and running a ferry “at the end of the world” could be an interesting business venture, and I hope someone reopens it, as it could be an entrepreneurial opportunity for someone in this wonderfully maintained tourist trap.

The ferry terminal and waiting area. This could be the start of a great business venture. I have too much wanderlust to be tied to a business in one place.

1 thought on “John O’Groats”

  1. Pingback: Pentland Ferry to and from the Orkney Islands – I Never Take Them Anywhere!

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