John o'Groats

John o' Groats is usually considered the most northerly settlement on the Scottish mainland – which is why this is either the beginning, or the end, of all attempts to traverse the length of Britain – the opposite end of the journey being the most westerly tip of the southern mainland, Land's End in Cornwall. The famous sign above the harbour at John o' Groats says it's 874 miles from Land's End.

In reality, John o' Groats is neither the most northerly (that's the lighthouse at Dunnet Head), or indeed north-easterly (that's the lighthouse at Duncansby Head) place on mainland Scotland. However it "is" a proper village, and as it's also where the A99 road ends, this is as far as most people (who have just travelled the entire length of Britain) usually bother to go. If you've ever wondered what actually happens at 'the end of the road', then you'll be pleased that your question has finally been answered – it loops round a roundabout and heads back exactly the way it came.

Venturing a little further north of John o'Groats can be very rewarding, as the local ferry not only carries passengers to Orkney between May and September, but also operates as a pleasure boat – running trips to see the large local population of seals and other wildlife, as well as spectacular costal scenery such as the fantastic Stacks of Duncansby.