Tucked away snuggly on the very northern tip of the country is the small and quaint town of John O’Groats. This remote town has had a rather shaky relationship with the tourism industry, however, there is one sight here that continues to draw visitors from all over the country, the John O’Groats Sign Post.
Pay a visit to the sign post as you road trip around the North Coast 500 and discover the history of the town, from why it is named John O’Groats to where you can find the original John O’Groats signpost. Either that, or you can simply read this detailed guide to the sign post and get inspired for your trip of a lifetime!
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Visit the John O’Groats Signpost
Britain’s Most Northerly Point
One of the most iconic sights on the northern coast of Scotland marks the end of the hugely impressive journey from Lands End in England to the northerly point of John O’Groats. At these two opposite ends of the country, you will find a set of twin signposts, each detailing the direction and distance it is to tourist attractions around the world.
No trip around the North Coast 500 is complete without a visit and a picture with this iconic signpost, as well as a well-deserved cuppa in the local cafe.
Table of Contents
Planning Your Trip
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History of John O’Groats
The town of John O’Groats has had a turbulent past, since its founding in the 15th century when the Dutchman Jan de Groot first built his house here. Jan de Groot ran a ferry from here to Orkney for 2p a trip, and the town of John O’Groats has been named after him ever since.
In recent years, this small seaside town has not had the best reputation for tourism. Lonely Planet described it as a “seedy tourist trap” in 2005, and later in 2010, it was named “Scotland’s most dismal town” by Urban Realm. However, recently there has been a lot of work done to recover the reputation of this popular NC500 stop and in our opinion, it has come a long way.
It is far from the most interesting, beautiful, or fascinating stop on the North Coast 500, however, it is definitely a nice place to stretch your legs, browse the local shop, and snap a photo with the iconic signpost.
What is the John O’Groats Sign Post?
Installed in 1964, the famous John O’Groats signpost marks the “Journey’s End” of the epic road trip from its sister signpost in the coastal region of Cornwall. Originally, this signpost was a paid visitor attraction that was situated on private land. It featured a customisable signpost, where you could pay to have any message you wanted to be inserted for a photograph with the post.
Since then, in 2013 as part of the nearby hotel redevelopment, the original signpost was moved to the nearby caravan park, 200 yards away. When the hotel reopened, a publicly accessible (but not customisable) signpost was erected in front of the hotel.
Where is the John O’Groats Sign Post?
On the northern coast of Scotland, you will find the John O’Groats ferry terminal, nearby which you will also find the famous John O’Groats sign post. This all lies about 750m north of the actual town of John O’Groats so is very easily accessible if you are staying in the town centre.
How to Get to the John O’Groats Sign Post
The sign post is very difficult to miss as (ironically) the journey there is very well signposted. If you follow the road towards the John O’Groats ferry terminal, you will eventually reach a large, circular car park. If you park up here and walk past the John O’Groats visitor centre on your left, the sign post itself will come into view in front of you.
RENT YOUR MOTORHOME HERE
NC500 Motorhome and Campervan Scheme
The NC500 Motorhome Scheme, officially known as the Highland Campervan and Motorhome Scheme, was launched by the Highland Council on July 1, 2024. This innovative initiative is designed to address the growing number of motorhomes and campervans traveling along the popular North Coast 500 (NC500) route, ensuring that their impact on the local environment and communities is managed sustainably.
The scheme offers a voluntary seven-day pass costing £40, inclusive of VAT. This pass grants motorhome and campervan users access to 12 designated overnight parking locations along the NC500 route, including scenic spots like Torvean Car Park in Inverness, Nairn Harbour, Dunnet Head Car Park, and Ullapool Latheron Car Park.
These parking spots are available on a first-come, first-served basis from 10 PM to 8 AM, with a 72-hour no-return policy at each location. This ensures that the facilities are used responsibly and that a larger number of travellers can benefit from them.
Overall, the NC500 Motorhome Scheme provides a structured and sustainable approach to motorhome travel in one of Scotland’s most scenic and popular areas. We think this is a great idea and encourage everyone to take advantage of it if you are looking to explore this road trip soon.
Read all about this new scheme in our complete guide to the NC500 Motorhome Scheme here.
For more information or to purchase a membership, travellers can visit the Highland Council’s official website.
At the site of the John O’Groats signpost, you will find a number of other interesting tourist attractions and amenities. When you arrive at the John O’Groats Visitor Centre, park in the large, circular car park and pay a visit to the centre for ideas of other North Coast 500 sights and attractions (or read our full list here).
Once you have finished in the visitor centre, you have a choice of a few different shops and cafes to visit, such as the Crafts Centre or the Knitwear Co. Both of these centres have their own small cafe, selling hot drinks and snacks for the road. If you are looking for a heartier meal, the Storehouse and the Stacks Coffee House and Bistro both serve hot meals for adventurers.
Nearby Sights to the John O’Groats Sign Post
There are loads of other beautiful sights that you will need to visit close by to the John O’Groats Signpost, both to the west and further to the south. For a full list of all of the best North Coast 500 sights that you cannot miss, read our full guide here.
Visit the Duncansby Stacks and Lighthouse
Towering above the ferocious North Sea are the beautiful and majestic outlines of the Duncansby Stacks. Standing as a testament to the power of nature in this remote part of the world, it is believed that these sea stacks have existed for over 6000 years, slowly being eroded by the strength of the sea.
During your trip around the NC500, swing by Duncansby Head and visit the lighthouse that dates back to 1924, and wander along the coast to see these impressive sea columns for yourself.
Relax on the Paradise of Coldbackie Beach
One of the best-kept secrets that the North Coast 500 has to offer sits just outside the small town of Tongue on the northern coast of Scotland. Coldbackie Beach is the perfect example of what Scotland has to offer in terms of beaches: hidden from view, golden sands, and crystal-clear water.
During your trip along the northern coast of the NC500, keep your eyes peeled for this strip of paradise and dip your toes in the beautiful water.
Before You Leave for the North Coast 500
Before you head off on your trip around the NC500, there are certain things you will need to get organised to ensure a smooth trip. These include how to get around the route, including being aware of single track roads, etc., what to pack for Scotland, where to stay along the route and what travel insurance to book.
How Do I Get Around?
Given the remote location of the NC500 and the majority of the sights along the route, the best way to get around this road trip is by driving. There are of course other methods that are still popular, such as cycling and hiking, however, if you have a short amount of time on the route, neither of these are very suitable.
As for public transport, the use around the NC500 is understandably difficult due to how remote each location is, however, with the increasing problem of congestion along the route, this is a good option to research if you have time. If it is something that interests you, you can read a public formed itinerary of how to get around the NC500 by public transport over here.
Where to Stay on the NC500
There is a wide range of accommodations around the NC500 route, so you will not be short on options. Depending on how long you are spending in each area will depend on how long you spend in that location. It is worth bearing in mind that some accommodations will require you to stay a minimum number of nights so it is worth researching this when you are planning your North Coast 500 itinerary.
Our new book North Coast 500 Where to Eat and Stay shares the best places to eat and stay around the NC500 and includes whether places are dog friendly, accessible, have wifi and EVC ad whether they cater to dietry requirements.
The remoteness in the highlands of Scotland will leave you with little choice of accommodation in each location along the NC500, however, there are still enough options to choose from to ensure a comfortable trip. These are mostly in the shape of B&Bs, Airbnbs, converted cottages and other quirky accommodations.
Depending on how adventurous you are, there may be more accommodation choices than just the above, often with an even better view. Caravan and camping sites are abundant along the NC500, drawing camping enthusiasts from all over the world. For some of the most spectacular bedside scenery along the North Coast 500, we recommend packing a tent and getting in touch with nature for the week.
We travelled along the North Coast 500, camped in our trusty Vango tent, on a mixture of campsites and wild sites. Wild camping is a fantastic way to enjoy the beauty of the highlands, however, it must be done respectfully. Read our full guide to Wild Camping if you wish to give it a go so you know everything you need to for a comfortable and sustainable trip.
What Should I Pack?
When it comes to packing for a trip to Scotland there is one item of clothing that you are going to need all year round: a waterproof. It rains in Scotland on average 250 days a year, meaning that during your trip you will probably experience at least a drizzle of rain. Due to this, the number one item on any Scotland packing list is a good waterproof jacket (men’s / women’s).
As for the rest of the year, the temperature in Scotland and the central heartlands is reasonably mild for most of the year. During the winter months, you will most likely experience snow, however, temperatures usually sit around freezing, so it is not too cold. For your reference, the average temperatures in Scotland are listed below during each season.
Spring (March, April, May) – 5-10 degrees C
Summer (June, July, August) – 15 degrees C
Autumn (September, October, November) – 5-10 degrees C
Winter (December, January, February) – 0-5 degrees C
As you can see, the weather never really gets above the teens, with anything over 25 degrees C considered a heatwave. The best way to pack for your trip to the highlands is with layers that can be added and removed as you need them. You will definitely need a hat and gloves during the colder months and will most likely need sunscreen to protect you on the long days in the open. No doubt you will be out exploring on foot a lot in the wonderful Scottish landscape, so it’s a good idea to have comfortable, waterproof walking boots (men’s / women’s).
We would also recommend taking our NC500 guidebooks with you on your journey. This will help you plan your itinerary and ensure that you don’t miss out on any of the best places to go on the NC500. Our Destination NC500 guidebook is well paired with NC500 Where to Eat and Stay and you can buy the combo here.
Given the beautiful sights and scenery that you are no doubt going to see around Scotland, we highly recommend packing a good camera for your trip. If you want to read more about the cameras we use and why we love them, check out the link below.
Photography Equipment
Main Photography Camera – Sony A7v Mirrorless Camera and Sony A7iii Mirrorless Camera
Microphone – Sony Mic ECM-B1M
Main Lens – Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8
Zoom Lens – Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8
Camera Tripod – ZOMEI Z669C Camera Tripod
Gorilla Pod – JOBY JB01507-BWW GorillaPod
Action Camera – GoPro Hero 11 and Insta 360 One RS
Drone Camera – DJI Mavic Pro 3
Camera Bag – Wandrd PRVKE 41L and The Nest by Tropicfeel
Phone Tripod – Manfrotto MKPIXICLAMP-BK, Mini Tripod with Universal Smartphone Clamp
Sturdy Phone Tripod & Selfie Stick – ATUMTEK 61″ Selfie Stick Tripod, Sturdy Phone Tripod Stand with Wireless Remote
Hard Drives – LaCie Rugged Mini, 5TB, 2.5″, Portable External Hard Drive
SSD – SanDisk Extreme Pro 1TB Portable NVMe SSD
Travel Adapter –Worldwide Travel Adapter Universal Travel Plug with 4 USB Ports+Universal AC Socke
What is the Best Travel Insurance for the North Coast 500
I know travel insurance is the least enjoyable thing to purchase and look at when you’re planning a trip, however, you wouldn’t want to be without it in the event that something happened. Accidents can happen anywhere and the extortionate medical bills will ruin your trip if you are not covered.
To ensure you have a stress-free trip with no worries about potential medical bills, make sure you cover yourself when you travel. We can recommend using SafetyWing, a backpacker-friendly and cheap insurance company that provides good coverage and support. It is also nomad-friendly, unlike most other insurance companies, meaning you do not need to worry about being out of your home country for too long.
Get a quote for your travel insurance right here and get covered!
So there you have it, all of the best sights along the North Coast 500, including castles, cliff views, and stunning harbour towns. If you have visited the NC500 recently, let us know what you thought of the sights listed above, or if you have any suggestions let us know in the comments below.
As always, sharing is caring so make sure to share this guide with your family and friends and inspire them to head off on their own North Coast 500 adventure. If you are planning the trip for yourself, make sure you have a look at the rest of our Scotland content for more inspiration to our beautiful home country.
When you set off on your own adventure, be sure to tag us in your photos on Instagram and we will share them with the rest of our community. In the meantime, why not follow us over there to see what we are currently up to and keep up with us on our Instagram Stories.
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