English (UK)
English (US)
Français
Deutsch
Español
Italiano
Nederlands
简体中文
Een minigids voor
Durness, Thurso & John o' Groats: tips and FAQs
Lokale kennis en veelgestelde vragen
Lokale kennis
Tips voor uw bezoek
Fill up when you can
Villages between Durness and Thurso are far apart, so keep the tank or battery topped up and plan where to stop.
Check opening before a long drive
The Castle of Mey, Smoo Cave tours and Cocoa Mountain all have seasonal hours. Check their websites first.
Book Orkney crossings in summer
NorthLink sails from Scrabster and Pentland Ferries from Gills Bay; book vehicle space ahead on busy dates.
Take care on cliff paths
Dunnet Head, Duncansby Head and Holborn Head have unfenced cliff edges. Keep dogs and children close, especially in wind.
Veelgestelde vragen
Veelgestelde vragen
Where is Durness, Thurso & John o' Groats?
Durness, Thurso & John o' Groats is in North Coast 500, Scotland. Sea caves, sandy bays, the mainland's northernmost points and the ferries to Orkney. Nearby stops and stations include Thurso, Scrabster, Gills Bay.
How long do I need in Durness, Thurso & John o' Groats?
Two to three days for the drive from Durness to John o' Groats. Allow longer if you plan to eat out or visit several attractions.
Wat zijn de hoogtepunten?
Highlights include Smoo Cave, Balnakeil Bay and church, Ceannabeinne. See the Things to do page for more.
Hoe komt u er?
Nearby: Thurso (Rail); Scrabster (NorthLink ferry to Stromness); Gills Bay (Pentland Ferries to St Margaret's Hope); A836 and A99 (Car). The Getting there page links to the official timetables and journey planners.
Waar kunt u eten en drinken?
We list 6 places to eat and drink in and around Durness, Thurso & John o' Groats, with filters to help you choose.
Waar kan ik overnachten?
Wij vermelden 11 hotels en andere verblijven in de buurt. Controleer beschikbaarheid en prijzen bij de accommodatie zelf.
Is Durness, Thurso & John o' Groats accessible?
De toegankelijkheid verschilt per straat, gebouw en locatie. Raadpleeg vóór vertrek de toegankelijkheidsinformatie van elke bezienswaardigheid of vervoerder.
While you are here
Things to see in Durness, Thurso & John o' Groats
A few of the sights in the area. The Things to do page lists them all, with directions and official links.
Ceannabeinne
Ruined township east of Durness, beside a sandy beach looking out to Eilean Hoan.
Loch Eriboll
Sea loch about 16 km long, long used as a sheltered anchorage, with 19th-century lime kilns at Ard Neakie.
Castle Varrich
Ruin on a rocky high point above Tongue and the Kyle of Tongue, linked with the chiefs of Clan Mackay.
Fotoverantwoording
- John o' Groats: David Dixon, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Ceannabeinne: Paul Hermans, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Loch Eriboll: Dorcas Sinclair, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Castle Varrich: Paul Hermans, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Ullapool, Coigach & Assynt: Paul Hermans, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
Photos from Wikimedia Commons, used under the licences shown. All photo credits
Keep exploring North Coast 500