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Above, The
famous
Groatie Buckies.
Caithness
has a lot to offer the visitor, all within easy travelling
distance of our site in John O'Groats. There are a large
number of archaeological sites. The Cairns of Camster are
certainly worth a visit, as is the Viking museum at
Auckengill. There is a wildlife ranger service at Dunnet
with guided walks for those who wish to discover the best
places to view the varied flora and fauna. In Wick you can
visit the Heritage Centre and take a journey back in time
and see how Caithness people lived and worked. They have a
particularly impressive collection of artefacts from the
boom time in Wick during the 'Herring Fishing' period.
For the sporty visitor there are three golf clubs, river, loch and
sea fishing all close at hand. |
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WHAT TO DO AND SEE |
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Ferry |
Coastal footpath |
Duncansby Stacks |
Guillemots |
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At the
entrance to the caravan and camping site is the booking
office for the passenger ferry, above, which does day trips
to Orkney. |
Having relaxed
after your journey and settled at our site, then a
sightseeing trip to Duncansby Head (about 3km) will be
pleasantly rewarding. As you travel the coastline past the
shell beaches where the famous 'Groatie Buckies', the
European Cowrie (Cypus Europea) is cast upon the shore by
the tides along with large quantities of other beautiful
shell, you will reach Duncansby Head Lighthouse where you
cannot fail to be impressed by the breathtaking views of the
Pentland Firth, the Islands of Orkney , Stacks of Duncansby
and the abundant bird life in season. |
Grey Seals |
Canisby Kirk |
Castle of Mey |
Caastle of Mey gardens |
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Returning back
to the site you will be able to see other visitors to John
O'Groats inquisitively watching you enjoying your stay.
These will be 'Grey Seals', often seen swimming close to the
beach. |
Travelling west
towards Thurso you will see Canisbay Church, where Jan De
Groot (our namesake) is buried and whose tombstone is inside
the church porch. |
Canisbay Church
is also the church the Queen Mother attended while on
holiday at her northern most home, the Castle of Mey, which
is only a few kilometres along the road towards Thurso, now open
to the public.
Prince Charles now holidays at the castles in August and also
attends the local Mey Games carrying on the tradition
started by the Queen Mother. |
Last House |
Craft Village |
Ferry wildlife
cruise |
Puffins |
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The Last
House in Scotland is adjacent to our site and provides a
museum which tells the history of John O'Groats and the
Pentland Firth and also has a souvenir shop. |
Around the
free car park are situated a Coffee Shop and Woollen Mill,
Souvenir Shops and the Craft Village featuring Candle
Makers, Knitter, Potters and Gallery where you can buy
unique items made in John O'Groats.
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At the peak of
the season the John O'Groat passenger ferry runs wildlife
cruises where you can get close up to the seal colonies on
Stroma and the massive breeding bird colonies on the cliffs
of Duncansby Head including the comical Puffin. Other boats
for wildlife tours and fishing trips can also be arranged
from the harbour. |
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