John O Groats (things to see and do ?)

[rce]

Still planning for our Orkney trip reckon we will have a few hours to kill between JOG & Thurso while we wait for ferry time.

Any tips of things to see/do around there ?

 

[John Armstrong]

Go to Dunnet Head, the most northerly point on the mainland AFAIK.

 

[Rollin Bone]

jog

Beer

 

[Klanky]

Still planning for our Orkney trip reckon we will have a few hours to kill between JOG & Thurso while we wait for ferry time.

Any tips of things to see/do around there ?

What time of year? Which ferry you using? Gills Bay or Scrabster?

 

[arcboutant]

aye...

turn right at the hotel before you drop down to Jo'G and go to Duncansby head Lighthoose and stretch yer legs watchin' the burdies (feathered) at the bird sanctuary.Peaceful and guid views o' Orkney and the ferries when weather is guid.

 

[Stahlgewittern]

Have a wander around Thurso nice place for food n beer.

 

[Deleted User O]

That's a Dunderheid in Dunnets heid

 

[rce]

Thanks guys, had seen Dunnet Head on map and thought it would be a good place to stop.

As for ferry decided to go Scabby just in case weather a bit bad for crossing Churchill Barriers. (Mid June so could be raining, snowing, blowing a gale, and sunny).

What is parking like in Thurso?

 

[arcboutant]

'That's a Dunderheid in Dunnets heid'

must be love

 

[Klanky]

Thanks guys, had seen Dunnet Head on map and thought it would be a good place to stop.

As for ferry decided to go Scabby just in case weather a bit bad for crossing Churchill Barriers. (Mid June so could be raining, snowing, blowing a gale, and sunny).

What is parking like in Thurso?

No parking fees on street or in car parks, there's lots of parking down by the river (literally 200m from town centre). Security is not an issue up here.

If you go up to Dunnet Head, continue on through Skarfskerry on the coastal backroad to Mey and you can have a butchers at the Queen Mothers castle at Mey. Nice views from the (free) carpark of the castle and over the Firth. Tearoom and toilets there too if you need a break.

Groats is just the touristy stuff, plus ther main Hotel is closed off pending start of the big refurbishment plan that is starting later this year. If you're going up before about May-ish then the shops will be on reduced hours - it's a very short season up here.
Nice little run up to Duncansby Head (1 1/2 miles, turn by the Seaview Hotel), park up and 5 minute walk to Duncansby Stacks.

 

[rce]

Thanks Klanks very useful info. We know JOG is a bit pants (been before in car) but mate is desperate for the photo opportunity (Southerners are easily pleased, but to be fair he will have done about 800 miles to get there once I have led him a merry route from South Yorkshire).

We are staying near Inverness night before, so reckon even taking our time will be at JOG 2pm, haven't got to be at ferry terminal until 6pm.

Anywhere recommended for eating in Thurso ?

 

[MickDB1]

every time a pop up there I always go to the lighthouse near JoG and parkup and walk east along the coast to Duncansby heads
fabulous views of gulls and terns and coastal cliffs
it fair brightens my day up
HTHY

 

[Klanky]

Thanks Klanks very useful info. We know JOG is a bit pants (been before in car) but mate is desperate for the photo opportunity (Southerners are easily pleased, but to be fair he will have done about 800 miles to get there once I have led him a merry route from South Yorkshire).

We are staying near Inverness night before, so reckon even taking our time will be at JOG 2pm, haven't got to be at ferry terminal until 6pm.

Anywhere recommended for eating in Thurso ?

Sit down eating I'd definitely recommend the Holborn Hotel (the bar is called Bar 16, it's on Princes St slap bang in the middle of Thurso - ask a native to point you there). Good food. There's a chippy opposite if you fancy a stand up meal.

But...if you want to eat earlier - You could eat at La Mirage sit down chippy in Helmsdale on the way up the A9. Mega recommend for that place, it's one of my favourite stopoff points on a blat round.

It'll only take you 2 1/2 hours at a slow pace to get up to Groats or Thurso from Inversnecky, if you want i could point out a little detour on the way up that takes you onto a 'proper' highland road - stunning viewpoint at the top, too. Should impress yer mate. And you endup back on the A9 at Helmsdale next to 'La Mirage'.....

 

[Deleted User O]

Cannae mind the one in Thurso where me, Schultz and respective partners went to for a High tea but by feck we couldnae move after it

 

[wully]

Watch out for some of the weird locals..

Generally harmless but if cornered by him, offer alcohol- it's the only thing that calms him down.

 

[Klanky]

Watch out for some of the weird locals..

Generally harmless but if cornered by him, offer alcohol- it's the only thing that calms him down.

I have my glasses with me on that photie, Wully........

 

[rce]

if you want i could point out a little detour on the way up that takes you onto a 'proper' highland road - stunning viewpoint at the top, too. Should impress yer mate. And you endup back on the A9 at Helmsdale next to 'La Mirage'.....

Sounds interesting, details please

 

[Boxerboy55]

You gotta go there

 

[Klanky]

Sounds interesting, details please

A9 North of Brora.

You come out of Brora and get a very short twisty section which straightens out and runs parallel to the trainline on the beach. Do this bit and you then go uphill. As you drop down the other side of the hill you reach a couple of houses at the bottom of the hill. (About 4 miles North of Brora)

This is Lothbeg.

Look just before the first house on the right and you'll see a sign 'Glen Loth', it's pointing to the worlds narrowest road on the L/H side of the road. Blink and you'll miss it. That's your turning.

It's a single track road which takes you up Glen Loth, it's hardly used at all and eventually takes you out onto the side of Ben Dhorian overlooking Strath Kildonan. Lovely svenery and excellent views on a fine day augie). Plenty of red deer up here, but you'll not be going fast enough for them to be a problem.

Trundle down the other side to the T junction and turn right to wander down to Helmsdale down the Strath. When you get to the mini roundabout in Helmsdale you'll see a small carpark on your right. La Mirage cafe is on the left just after the Hotel. Also go down here to get back onto the A9.

Doesn't take that long and breaks the journey nicely if you then stop off in Helmsdale.

 

[wully]

Lovely svenery

How is Sven?