John O'Groats

John O’ Groats is most well known as the most northerly point of mainland Britain and the start or finish point of the famous Land’s End to John O’ Groats route.

It is renowned for its arbitrary geographical location and nothing more, so don't expect too much when visiting. Because of its position it is renowned for frequent Atlantic storms. There are a few tacky tourist shops and it can be overcrowded with coaches and visitors vying for their "I've-been-to-John-O-Groats" snapshot before piling back in their buses and heading off.

The surrounding countryside is however, breathtaking and there are some good views of the Orkney Isles across the sea. Duncansby Head, just a couple of miles away, has a lighthouse and dramatic cliffs. Going south along the East coast you reach fertile low lying country, peppered with attractive towns and villages, such as Dornoch, where Madonna tied the knot to Guy Ritchie.