High summer @ John O'Groats

Lighthouse at Duncansby Head.

Today it is unmanned and runs automatically

Staying for five nights at the Natural Retreats at John O'Groats.The wet and windy weather during from mid-morning through to early afternoon illustrated the potential harshness of the climate up here even during summer. Despite the weather we ventured up to Duncansby Head for a short walk. Duncansby Head is the most north easterly point of mainland Scotland.   

Plaque showing the Pentland Firth between 

Duncansby Head and the Orkneys.

The Pentland Firth is a busy but potentially dangerous 

channel between the Atlantic and the North Sea

Looking westwards towards John O'Groats 

There are fine views across from Duncansby Head 

across to the Orkneys

(above and below)

Signpost to the Stacks

The Stacks of Duncansby

Scottish jaunt 2013: Duncansby Head

 The lighthouse@Duncansby Head looking across to Orkney

It was built in 1924 by David A Stevenson

Stacks of cliffs@Duncansby Head

After four nights in one of Natural Retreat huts – part of the welcome redevelopment and revitalisation of John O'Groats, when I first visited John O'G in August 1978 it was sadly run down, we first went along to Duncansby Head. At two miles east of John O'Groats, this is the most north easterly point of mainland Scotland. 

We were lucky that it was sunny and with clear visibility. For our stay up at John O'Groats we were fortunate that the weather was generally good even though we had some rain most days but you expect changeable weather up in this part of the world.    

 John O'Groats from Duncansby Head

Transbulk ship heading between mainland Scotland and Orkney