The full story can be read in The Scotsman!

It was a bit of an eyesore last time I saw it and although John O Groats will never be my favourite bit of Scotland it is a big draw for tourists and definitely an embarassment at the moment.

John O'Groats (hereafter shortened to JOG) is unfortunately not the draw that many (who have not visited it) imagine it to be. In reality, it is a place many go through on the way to or from Orkney. A passenger ferry runs throughout the summer to connect Orkney with the mainland, tours run from Inverness to JOG and then on to Orkney.
(http://www.jogroats.co.uk/gallery.html#)

Critics of JOG as it is these days see only the crowds 'passing through', some 'overpriced shops' and 'nothing to do'. They also have (rightfully) scathing comments on the state of dilapidation of the JOG Hotel once owned by Peter de Savary (http://www.desavary.com/), now by http://www.heritagegb.co.uk/ I read.

A public meeting was held at The Seaview in JOG a few weeks ago - I'll let The Groat cover details (http://www.johnogroat-journal.co.uk/new ... start.html)
Perhaps this is the beginning of the way forward to make the vitally needed improvements, but, pessimistically, it could just as easily be the beginning of the end - if that point has not already been reached. I was in fact introduced to the current owner who was 'brave' enough to attend the meeting.

JOG achieves status because people visiting think they've reached the furthest north on the mainland - in this they are wrong, for it is the most northerly inhabited spot. Dunnet Head, a few miles west has the distinction of being most northerly.

Living at 'this end' of Scotland, I visit JOG quite often. I look forward to so doing for years to come. I like the place even though its commercial. I'd stayed in The Hotel a couple of times some years ago. I find JOG such a contraversial location.


James.