The Far North

The last leg of the northbound road will take you John O'Groats, the most northerly point of Scotland!
Leave your car at the John O'Groats Car and Coach park and take a short walk up to the John O'Groats Signpost.
From the signpost, you have a wonderful view out across the North Sea to Orkney.
Take a moment to reflect on your travels so far and celebrate reaching the north of this incredible country!

Take a walk down to the harbour!
While the signpost marks the end of the country, to truly reach the most northern point, you will have to head down to the harbour and dip your toes in the ocean!

Jump back in the car and head west along the coast to Dunnet Beach!
This two-mile stretch of windswept sand is the epitome of a Highland beach and is a great place for a swim in the summer!
It is also a fantastic spot for a bit of wildlife watching, with some of the local residents including oystercatchers, eider ducks, curlew and ringed plover, and if you're especially lucky you might catch a glimpse of a puffin or two!
The beach is the perfect spot for a picnic lunch!

Next stop, Thurso Castle!
Just a short drive along the coast is the first of two castle stops today.
This 19th-Century ruin stands atop the remains of a far older fortress, dating back to the 12th century and means "Thor's River," a name given to the original fortress by the Vikings!
The castle was once visited by US President Ulysses S. Grant as part of his 1877 world tour!

Your next castle for the day is Brims Castle!
The name may be deceiving as, while it was built as a fortified, defensive position, this building is not strictly speaking a castle!
This 16th-century fortification is what is known as a tower house and was constructed in the mid-16th-century by Hanry Sinclair, most likely as a means of protection from the Earl of Caithness - a local Lord who gained a reputation as being a ruthless and merciless brute who would not hesitate to use force to protect and expand his own interests!

Before making the southward turn and heading inland, make one final beach stop at the beautiful Farr Beach!
Another of Scotland's delightful, sandy beaches, Farr Beach is the perfect spot for you to bid farewell to the coast for the day and get one final chance to gaze out across the wild ocean!

Time to start heading back into the highlands!
Take the time to stop and shake off the driving cramps, with a visit to Loch Craggie Viewpoint.
A short walk from the parking area will take you to an observation area where you have a fantastic view of the unspoiled beauty of this incredible area of the world!

Wow, what a day! Time now to get yourself checked in and get plenty of rest as you'll be driving a long way tomorrow!