John o'Groats Travel Guide — Things to Do, Food & Hotels
village in Highland, Scotland, UK
About John o'Groats
Jan de Groot was a Dutchman who came here in 1489 with his brothers and set up a ferry service to Orkney. Legend claims that he built an octagonal house with eight doors so the brothers could enter independently with no "After you, Alphonse - no Gaston, after you I insist" time-wasting, but the legend is tosh and no trace of such a building has been found. What was real was a boost in travellers, who might be held up for days by bad weather, so they'd need accommodation. The Orkney Islands were Norwegian until ceded to Scotland in 1472, in lieu of the unpaid dowry of Queen Margaret of Denmark. Trade and pilgrimage then increased across the narrow but dangerous Pentland Firth. Another legend says that the fare was a groat (a third of a shilling or four pre-decimal pence), but the ferryman'
Top Attractions in John o'Groats
Explore the best things to see and do in John o'Groats:
- ★Castle of Mey
- ★Mary Ann's Cottage
Where to Stay in John o'Groats
- 🏨Hamnavoe
- 🏨John o' Groats Campsite
- 🏨John o' Groats Guest House
- 🏨John o’Groats Lodges
- 🏨Seaview Hotel
John o'Groats Travel Guide Sections
Our comprehensive guide covers 11 sections including: