John O’Groats Scotland

Day 37/Scotland 14

Travelled:93km

Stay: Duncansby Head Lighthouse- free parking N58.6439 W3.0265

Visited: Castle of Old Wick, Wick Harbour, John o’Groats, Duncansby Head

The showery weather this morning made us continue our journey unto Wick. 

After a brief stop at Lidl we found our way on an old potholed track to the Castle of Old Wick.  There was not much left of the 4 storey tower built in the 1100’s by half-Norse Herald Maddadson. It’s ruins still have a dramatic presence perched on a narrow promontory.

 We then drove into Wick and stopped in the harbour to have a walk around. Here we learnt that this had been Europe’s largest herring port in the early 1800’s. 

 

Take note of the Gutter Lassies rate of 40 herrings a minute !

We topped up with fuel at Tesco and then continued North to John o’Groats which lies in the northeastern tip of Great Britain. There is not much here- a few too many tourist shops, a couple of places to eat, a passenger only ferry terminal to Orkney or wildlife cruises and a campsite and hotel accommodation. 

We took some photos at the landmark “Journey’s End” signpost and had a look in a couple of shops before heading out to Duncansby Head Lighthouse. We decided we would stay here for the rest of the day and night, waiting for our booked ferry crossing to Orkney tomorrow. This is the most northeasterly part of British mainland and the point is marked by the lighthouse built in 1924. Although it is not the most northerly point it is the farthest by road from Land’s End (in western Cornwall). 

After lunch the wind blew the rain away and we managed to have a couple of hours to enjoy wondering around the headland. We admired the stunning view of the Stacks from different points. 

We also spotted a few seals in one of the sheltered bays. 

Our most exciting part of the walk was finally seeing a few puffins amongst the thousands of guillemots and seagulls.

Puffins are smaller than I imagined.

 Feeling a little wind blown we sought refuge in Bluey to enjoy the views and watch the Black faced sheep grazing. 

View of Orkney

Although the rain may have gone there seems no escaping the constant wind making Bluey rock the night away. Ahhh....C’est la vie. We did have a beautiful sunset.