John O'Groats

KW1 4YR
Soft Sandy Beach at Sannick Bay
Dog Friendly
Very Ample Parking
Public Toilets (20p)
Tourist Information Centre
Ferry to Orkney - Click TIMETABLE to see latest sailing times and ferry fares.
Shop locally at Puffin Croft Farm Shop for Vegetables, Sausages, Eggs and Baked Goods
Post Office, Stores and Petrol at Junction of A99 and Duncansby Head Roads (See Map)
John O'Groats HIGHLAND GAMES take place on Saturday 5th August 2023 from 1pm

Click on the map above to enlarge it

Sannick Bay

Start at the harbour and follow the path along the shore keeping a look out for Seals, Eider Ducks with their chicks and a host of other sea birds. The path rises and continues along the top of the bank and then through two Kissing Gates to a burn frequented by Otters. Over a style, across the burn bridge and you are at Roberts Haven – a sandy beach which leads you to the Ness of Duncansby. This is open common grazing, and the best route is along the top of the beach. Go around the Ness and you will come to the lovely Sannick Bay. From here there is a climb to Duncansby Head Lighthouse car park. 

You can now see the Stacks to your right.  Follow the fenced cliff edge round to the ‘Stacks’ and marvel at the numerous seabirds that nest during the breeding season. You can return via the road from the lighthouse, or the way you came.  This is a 6km round trip in total. 

If you want to drive up here you can park in the car park at the lighthouse and lots of people choose it as a place to "wild" camp as there is plenty of room. I have heard it is a little windy at times too! 

Even from the car park there are good views over John O'Groats and Dunnet Head, with Holborn Head in the distance. To walk to the stacks from the lighthouse is a 3km walk and will take about 2 hours. There is a "No Overnight" sign here but if you arrive late, leave early and take your rubbish with you it seems to be tolerated here. I have seen numerous reports on Facebook.

The traditional round tower has been abandoned and even the concrete lantern tower is square. During the second World War, and on the eve of the invasion of Norway, Duncansby Head Lighthouse was machine-gunned by a German bomber, but fortunately no one was injured and no damage caused. In 1968 a high power racon (radar beacon) was installed. It has now been replaced by a low-power self operating type, which can be particularly useful as a warning where the coastline is not conspicuous on a radar display. Duncansby Head was automated in 1997. 

Detour to Orkney for the day or take a Wildlife Cruise

If you have come this far then you really should consider a trip over to Orkney. Approximately seventy islands and skerries make up Orkney, with up to 20 of those inhabited. Most of the 21,000 strong population live on the largest island, the mainland, though many of the inner and outer islands of Orkney also support thriving communities, each with its own distinct identity. Given Orkney’s incredible scenery, abundant wildlife and mind-boggling wealth of archaeological sites, it’s no surprise to learn that tourism is also a hugely important industry in the islands. Tens of thousands of visitors enjoy holidays and tours in the islands each year and Orkney remains the top UK destination for cruise liners. The Ferry from John O'Groats sails from here three times a day in the summer and you can take a day tour by coach which will visit...

Scapa Flow
Churchill Barriers
Italian Chapel
Stromness
Skara Brae - Stone age Village
Standing Stones of Stenness
Ring of Brodgar
Kirkwall
In Summer tours leaves at 8.45am and 10.30am
Information available via Ferry Website 


There are also wildlife cruises available which last around 90 minutes and are suitable for families with children. A family ticket in 2018 will cost £45

The particular route for the cruise will depend on the prevailing tide and weather conditions, however the two main routes are: 

Cruise through the Pentland Firth past Duncansby Head lighthouse passing close to sheer 200 ft high cliffs teeming with sea birds followed by a close up view of the famous Stacks of Duncansby. 

Cross the inner sound of the Pentland Firth for a close up view of the uninhabited Island of Stroma and colonies of Atlantic Grey Seals. View the various cliffs and birds of Stroma. Birdlife can be seen on all our cruises however some have distinct breeding cycles and after their nesting season will travel out to sea. For example Puffins will be seen in large numbers in June and July but in smaller numbers in August. 20 June to 31 August 2018 Every Day at 2.30pm. Just turn up by 2.15pm & pay at the Ferry Office. 



Overnight Stops and Wild Camping

If you are planning a day trip to Orkney or if you have been on the road a few days by now you will probably want to overnight nearby.  You might need a campsite to empty your toilet, top up water and empty your grey waste. There is a site here and there are also wild camping spots nearby. A a lot of motorhome owners seem to overnight at Duncansby Head Lighthouse. See picture Left which shows the car park. Arrive late, leave early and take all your rubbish with you.

Personal Review: We visited here in late May 2018 and it was full by midday. There were dozens of VW's and campers taking up most of the car park. They had  put up windbreaks, awnings, tables and chairs and were sitting out as if it were a campsite. It looked awful and we could see other visitors making negative comments. We had not wanted to stay but it was annoying that we couldn't park and walk to the stacks as we had hoped. Such a shame that people had decided to "wild camp" in such a negative way. We took a quick shot of the stacks and then left and continued on our way. 



John O' Groats Camp Site

If you've been on the road a few days you might need to empty your toilet and to charge up your batteries on a site. If you want to stop on a site then there are facilities available here at the John O' Groats Camp Site. Contact the site on Tel: 01955 611329 Payment is by cash and I was quoted £24 for Motorhome +2 adults +3 children.


Camp Site Facilities

A generous supply of electrical hook ups throughout the site 
Hot and cold water to all basins and showers.
Hand dryers, shaver points (mens) and hair dryers (ladies).
Disabled Toilet. 
Laundrette with washing machine, tumble dryer, iron, drying area.
Waste disposal point and chemical disposal point. 
Wheely bins and fresh water points throughout the site. 
Hard surfaced roads, some hard standing pitches.
90 pitches for caravans, motor homes and tents.



Stroma View Camp Site  KW1 4YL

This site has mixed reviews but it is inexpensive and has all the facilities you need in a motorhome. The site is located on the A836 just outside John O' Groats. Overnight Parking is available on  hard-standing with electric hook-up and use of toilets but excludes use of showers and costs just £10.00 per night.

Camp Site Facilities

Hard-standing for motor vehicles
Electric hook-ups
Hot and cold water is supplied
Room for cooking and washing up  
Drinking water is available
Heated washrooms with hair dryers/shaving points (showers are excluded if overnight parking only)
Water fill-up point and chemical waste disposal (If overnight parking only these facilities are charged extra)
Payment by cash only

The next beach on the anticlockwise route is Dunnet Bay