On the third day of walking I would finally arrive at the “official” start, John o’Groats…
Thursday 21st July 2016
Long walk on road in morning. Highlight was view of island of Stroma. Arrived midday at John o’Groats. Changed out of boots into sandals (boots were damp inside).
Stroma has a fascinating history. Only a century ago, hundreds of people lived on the island, yet now it is inhabited only by cattle and sheep.
Lunch at Seaview Hotel. Arran Cheese salad the only veggie option. Bought 5 postcards and wrote after lunch. Refilled water. Used toilet.
By now this was novelty: it had been two days since I had seen a toilet.
Sent text to Mum. Couldn’t update lads [on Whatsapp] – no decent Internet. Coffee and cake before heading on.
Clifftop path was fantastic, with views of Geos. After Skirza [Freswick] bay, switched to road. Stopped at Keiss by the old castle. [Made] shelter [with tarp] on the beach. Wasn’t entirely confident where high tide was. Waves were loud.
Distance: 20.8 miles [view on map]
Spending: £25
Mood: 🙂
John o’Groats itself was nice enough. There’s an old hotel there, then a modern visitor area with shops and cafes. Only once I was in John o’Groats did I learn that John o’Groats was a Dutchman “Jan de Groot” who ran a ferry from this point to Orkney. His name was later Anglicised (or rather “Scoticised”).
The village of John o’Groats is known as the most north-westerly point on the British mainland, but in reality this point is at Duncansby Head 3km away, which has only a lighthouse. I walked there too – it’s far more stunning than the village.
