This route discovers the northern east coast of Scotland and focuses around three of the most picturesque inlets that Britain has to offer. You will begin in Inverness, the capital of the Highlands and travel into the northern territory, where you will enjoy breathtaking scenery. Why not stop off at the Struie viewpoint and enjoy the outlook over the Dornoch Firth.
On this route there is ample opportunity to catch a glimpse of the wildlife that live in this area. Try one of the Dolphin Tours that run regularly from Inverness and Portmahomack where you will be guaranteed to see puffins, dolphins, seals and on occasions whales or if you prefer to stay on the mainland you can watch salmon leaping at the Shin Falls. For bird enthusiasts you will find the Forsinard RSPB reserve (Royal Society of Protection to Birds) just north of Helmsdale. This reserve comprises of almost 24,711 acres and is located deep in the peatlands of Forsinard. Birds that breed on this reserve include golden plovers, dunlins and merlins.
For historical lovers the northern highlands also offer a lot of archaeological sites. You can walk to the Fyrish Monument Folly. This was built in the 18th century by Sir Hector Munro to provide work for his impoverished tenants. It is supposed to be a copy of the gates of the Indian city of Negapatam, the scene of one of Munro's military victories. There is also Shandwick Stone, which is over 10ft (3m) tall and is an impressive slab. One side is decorated with a cross and lavish designs and the other is divided into 5 panels. The stone blew down in a gale in 1846 but has since been restored. Finally there is Cairn Liath. It was first excavated in the 1800s by the Duke of Sutherland and as the name implies it was thought at the time to be some sort of burial mound or cairn.
Heading further north you will also find the Hill O Many Stanes, a memorial site with around 200 stones. This site was the original battle site between two rival clans in Scotland - the Keiths and the Gunns.
The Gunns won the battle and set up a memorial by burying the dead of each clan in rows. The rows are fan shaped (from north to south) and the stones mark the grave of each warrior that died.
Your destination, John O'Groats is famous for being the most northern point in Britain. The name "John O'Groats" originated from a Dutch gentleman called Jan de Groot. He used to run a ferry to the Orkney Islands and charged 2p. The coin denomination for 2p was called a "groat." Jan de Groot also built his house in the reign of James IV. This house attracts attention because it was built to overcome a family feud about the precedence of the family inheritance. Jan de Groot solved this problem by building an octagonal house with eight doors and an octagonal table. The purpose of this was that each of his seven sons had their own entrance to the house, and that no one would be head of the table. His grave lies in Canisbay Churchyard.
