John O'Groats, Duncansby and surrounding area

Park near lighthouse at Duncansby head, follow the trail.  This walk will guide you past large sea-bird colonies where you will be able to see guillemots, kittiwakes, fulmars, razorbills and puffins amongst the many birds. Here you will see high cliffs providing stunning views of stacks and coastline with drops up to 70 metres (250 feet). 

WARNING - keep away from cliff edges!

John O'Groats provides a multitude of Scottish Craft Shops - particularly interesting is the Glass Blowing Studio (see the crafts people at work) and the Candle Factory.  876 miles from Land's end!

Have your photograph taken with Eric the Viking!   Eric was created by Groatesque Gallery.

Leaves for day tours to Orkney every day 1 May to 30 September

Offers Orkney Tours:
Maxi Day Tour, leaving Groats at 9.00am and depart Orkney at 7.00pm.  1 May to 30 September daily.

Highlights Tour, leaving Groats at 10.30am and departing Orkney at 5.15pm.  Runs 1 June to 10 September daily.

Find "Groatie Buckies" - Look carefully and you will find the small sea-shell known as the Groatie Buckie.  This is also known as the European Cowrie.

This is signposted - but as you leave John O'Groats to go toward Wick, just at the post office (on the right-hand side) is a turning up to the left.  Go as far up this road as you can and you will be at the light-house!

The name Stroma comes from the Norse for "tidal stream" a well deserved name due to the wild currents of the Pentland Firth.  On an ebb tide look out for the "Men o' Mey" an impressive but dangerous tidal race.

Althugh, Stroma was once a busy island with a population of 365 at its height, it is now deserted.  The last family left the island in 1962.

Mr J. Simpson owns Stroma and most weekends runs trips out to the island for people who would like to spend the day viewing the history, the seals and the bird-life.

"On the West side of the Island you can find the remains of a pirates lair!  This is a 10 foot square pillar of rock surrounded by the sea and called Castle Nestag.

Further along the grass and heather brae's is the Devils Punch Bowl (Big Gloup) consisting of a natural hollow in the ground with a ledge running above sea level about one hundred yards.  This channel can be sailed by small boats.  Islanders hid their whiskey from the Excise men in it."

This is a small extract from the leaflet produced by Robert G. Dundas, Stroma View Souvenir Shop and Camping Site at Huna by John O'Groats.