OUR
PROJECTS
As a community on the remote north coast of mainland UK we have needs that are not met by central funding or services therefor we have to be creative in how we maintain our beautiful area for the enjoyment of both residents and visitors.
We work hard to create a place that is welcoming to all and keeps local residents voices heard so future improvements can be made with their needs at the forefront.
Below are just some of the projects we have undertaken since our inception. Our goal is to make John O'Groats a welcoming, thriving and enjoyable place for both visitors and residents.
WHAT WE DID DURING 2022
During 2022 we have improved the main carpark and walking areas and aquired some community bikes. We have also been working on some bigger projects such as fundraising towards a new playpark project and developing an app that will enhance visitor experiences.
COMMUNITY
CHRISTMAS TREE
This year John O'Groats has its very own beautiful Christmas tree. Located between the Groatie Buckie shop and Flavours icecream. We hope that it brings a little festive cheer to the area along with our existing Christmas street lights.
Huge thanks to everyone who made it possible to get the tree in location and lit up we could not have done this without our dedicated helpers in the community.
Supported By:
John O'Groats Development Trust, Parking Donations
COMMUNITY
BIKES
We now have a few bikes that are available for community use. If you would like to borrow them please get in touch via message or email and we will get you sorted out.
We will soon also have a dedicated shed and tools for the bikes, which will eventually be located close to the main car park.
Supported By:
John O'Groats Development Trust, Cycling Scotland
COMMUNITY
APP
We are in the final stages of completion of the digital app we commisioned to showcase some of the local points of interest.
We will be testing it in the coming months and it will be ready for general download before the begining of next tourist season.
This has been a time consuming project but we hope the end result will encourage visitors and locals to learn more about our area.
Supported By:
John O'Groats Development Trust,
RESURFACED
THE MAIN CARPARK
The main car park had deteriated badly over the last while so the decision was made to resurface it and reline it.
The area is much safer for everyone now and we even have additional spaces with the new layout.
Supported By:
John O'Groats Development Trust, Parking Donations
NEW
PROMENADE
The all access coastal paths have received some upgrading and we now have our very own promenade in John O'Groats.
The coastal path towards Duncansby has had reinforcements put in to mitigate the errosion.
Supported By:
Parking Donations, John O'Groats Development Trust
FINN &
FRIENDS
The new children's book Finn & Friends at John O'Groats has been published and is for sale on our website and in some of the local businesses in John O'Groats.
The stories are by local authors Gail Anthea Brown, Charlotte Platt, Andrea Wotherspoon and Ian Leith.
The pupils of Canisbay Primary school provided the images for the stories.
Supported By:
John O'Groats Development Trust, Local Authors, Canisbay Primary School
WHAT WE DID DURING 2021
During 2021 we have undertaken a lot of work to make the area more pleasant and easier to enjoy. We have installed new paths, improved signage, added traffic control to protect walking areas and we have added a number of structures and information boards.
NEW PATH TO
THE JOG MILL
A new all abilities path has been created to enable visitors to now make their way easily from the visitor car park at John O'Groats along the coast to the John O'Groats Mill.
The path has many scenic viewpoints and some benches so users can take their time and enjoy the views.
Supported By:
Coastl Communities Fund, Stroupster Wind Farm, John O'Groats Mill Trust,
John O'Groats Development Trust
POEM
BOARDS
Around the children's play area we have installed some poem boards to brighten the place up. The three poems are Charms of Duncansby - John Ross, Canisbay 1873-1961,My Home - High Manson, Canada 1912 and Las Pedrias Del Cielo (Stones of the Sky) - Pablo Neruda.
At low tide an inscription from Las Pedrias Del Cielo can be seen carved in an old red sandstone reef on the west end of the Bay of Sannick.
Supported By:
Parking Donations
WISHING WELL
FORGE
Located up in the centre of the Craft Village this was created by Wickcraft and brightens up the previously empty covered stone circle.
Supported By:
Parking Donations
MEMORIAL
STONES
A memorial to the brave souls taken by the ferocious seas of the Pentalnd Firth has been created at the waters edge in front of the First and Last House.
In keeping with local architecture and history, eight flagstones have been errected in an octagon shape and surround a bench. Information boards have been added for the MV Cemfjord and the George Robb.
Supported By:
Parking Donations, Stroupster Wind Farm
ARCHWAY
WELCOME SIGNS
The archway between the Groatie Buckie Gift Shop and Flavours Ice Cream has been given a facelift with new welcome signage that is inkeeping with the world famous sign.
Supported By:
Parking Donations
SIGN POSTS
AND TRAFFIC CONTROL
Six new finger post signs have been installed to direct visitors around the area. These have been made in a similar style as the world famous sign post.
Bollards and stones have also been placed in areas to protect path ways from traffic and to keep pedestrains safe.
Supported By:
Parking Donations
JOG TRAIL
ARCHWAY
A new archway has been installed to mark the start of the long distance walkway to Inverness. The decorative arch incorporates Celtic knots, puffins and wedding rings and was was made by Wickcraft.
It is hoped that the archway will help publicise the long distance route and encourage visitors to explore along the coastal path.
Supported By:
Friends of John O'Groats Trail, John O'Groats Development Trust, John O'Groats Brewery, Jenny Magee
FINN THE
ORCA
Finn the Orca is currently on display beside the foghorn. He will eventually be moved to a new location and will feature spouting water and a donation slot for those wanting to make a special wish.
Supported By:
Parking Donations
WHAT WE DID DURING 2019-2020
2020 has been an especially difficult year for everyone but despite this our community has continued to support one another in many different ways. Below are some highlights of the projects we have undertaken to make our community a better pace to be.
NEW START & FINISH STONES
Local business A&D Sutherland have kindly donated a selection of stone that will be used to create new start and finish stone markers along with a series of stones that will create a new photo opportunity for visitors.
Supported By:
A & D Sutherland, Parking Donations
ART
PACKS
JOG Development Trust has in partnership with Canisbay School Parent Council (in particular Mairi-Anne Cormack) secured funding to offer some 'Art Packs' to anyone living in the Dunnet & Canisbay Community Council area.
Supported By:
Canisbay School Parent Council
NEW
PLAYGROUND
A new playground has been installed outside the Groatie Buckie Gift Shop for locals and visitors to enjoy. This new installation was made possible by generous donations to our parking fund and Stroupster Wind Farm.
Supported By:
Stroupster Wind Farm, Parking Donations
PARKING DONATIONS
Parking donations from visitors to John O'Groats raised over £21,000 within the first three months of being introduced.
The money will help fund projects to enhance the village, boosting its appeal to tourists and making it more attractive for locals.
Supported By:
Kind Visitors and Locals
JIGSAWS
JOG Development Trust has received some funding to purchase jigsaws and distribute them to anyone in the Dunnet & Canisbay Community Council area that would like one. As we have a limited number it will be first come first served. They are mainly 1000 piece, but we do have some at 500 pieces.
Supported By:
Parking Donations
FOGHORN RESTORATION
Work on a seafarers' memorial at John O'Groats is progressing well with the old Duncansby foghorn now taking pride of place on the seafront.
The freshly painted red foghorn has been moved to its new home behind the Last House in an area that had been spruced up for the occasion.
Supported By:
Northern Lighthouse Board, Stroupster Wind Farm, Parking Donations
FOOTBALL
TRAINING KITS
In collaboration with John O’Groats Junior Football Club, the JOG Trust secured funding and purchased a number of Football Training Kits.
The kits include a football, training marker cones, a training hurdle and a training session planner and were intended to help with home practice during COVID-19.
Supported By:
HIE
NEW
SIGNAGE
Some new signage erected around John O’Groats, now the signpost can stay clean, white and sticker free!
A new 5mph speed limit has been implemented in the main carpark to make it safer for all. Hopefully Stagecoach will adhere and stick to the 5mph! We will be keeping an eye out to make sure.
Supported By:
Parking Donations, John O' Groats Development Fund
COVID-19 SUPPORT
Over fifty volunteers offered their time to help during COVID-19.
We have helped many people who were unable to get things for themselves and some volunteers have carried out many hundreds of miles of runs for food, prescriptions or other goods and services for these people.
Supported By:
HIE
NEW
PATHS
We are working on adding new paths around John O'Groats to make the beautiful spaces more accessible to everyone. Local contractors are working with us to upgrade existing paths and extend & create new ones.
Supported By:
Northern Lighthouse Board, Stroupster Wind Farm, Parking Donations
GROWING
INITIATIVE
The John O'Groats Development Trust Growing initiative aims to get kids (and people of any age) involved in small scale gardening with the aim of supporting mental well-being in the community; fostering and maintaining a sense of community and setting in place an activity which can continue post Covid-19 and enhance the community.
Supported By:
STV, Woodside Nursery Castletown and Westlea Plants, Lybster
SIGN POST
RENOVATION
John O’Groats Signpost has been re-erected today after a complete and costly overhaul to rid it of the damage that was inflicted on it by anyone who thought sticking stickers all over it was a good idea!
We hope everyone will respect it now and refrain from sticking anything to it so that everyone can capture their photo or selfie at that this world famous destination.
Supported By:
Parking Donations
TALES
O'GROATS
We hope to publish a website and possibly a book of your stories and pictures. We are not just looking for stories from long ago here. This is about your knowledge, not just your grandparents, we want your memories of recent times too. Especially from the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s onwards. However old you are you will have something to contribute. There will be a chapter on how lock down felt for you too.
Supported By:
STV