View Full Version : Groats is a Carbuncle - official
John O'Groats has been awarded the 2010 Carbuncle Award for being the most dismal place in the UK. Fame at last :eek:
Walter Ego
10-Sep-10, 07:29
It was been put in the top five 'nominations' after receiving the grand total of one nomination from someone obviously opposed to the propesed new development.
Inverness received a huge amount of nominations...I think that just about sums up succinctly how pointless the whole website is.[lol]
Also the 'Carbuncles' summary of the development at Groats highlights their complete lack of knowledge and a level of journalism only matched by the tabloids:
John o’ Groats (http://www.thecarbuncles.co.uk/carb_noms.php#John O' Groats)
A plan of last resort is planned for Britain’s most northerly mainland outpost, notorious for being so desolate that the majority of tourists turn tail and return southward minutes after arriving in the bleak outpost. Plans are afoot however to transform the Highland ghost town into a coast town, sadly these plans depict a diabolical semi circular ring of asphalt around the village circumference.
So, let's hear the usual whingeing from the anti-Groats lobby (who all expect everyone else to do something about it).
In many respects it's a shame the hotel closed down 15 years ago. We actually stayed there the last night it was open. It was for the start of a classic car run to Land's End. Dinner was to have been in the conservatory, but about 15 minutes before dinner, the roof caved in, so about 40 of us had to be seated at various tables elsewhere around the place. But there's more up there now than there was then.
I would sooner have Groats as a dismal outcrop than have it as De Savory has left Lands End where you have to pay to get in!!
This report and award is typical of some London based idiot who wants to see the place as a Tottenham-by-the-sea!!!! ....Sort Londons problems out before you come up here trying to sort ours out!!!
C3.....[evil]
When and where was the myth started that Groats is the most northerly point of mainland Britain?
It's certainly a bleak place when the weather does it's worst but can think of even worse ones, Blackpool would be at the top of my list closely followed by Birmingham.
When and where was the myth started that Groats is the most northerly point of mainland Britain?
It's certainly a bleak place when the weather does it's worst but can think of even worse ones, Blackpool would be at the top of my list closely followed by Birmingham.
Lizz, its the most North Easterly point, as the Lizard point is the most South Westerly point of the UK.
Duncansby
10-Sep-10, 10:11
Sorry to be pedantic but the quoted bit of text does state ‘most northerly outpost’ and as the most northerly populated place on the mainland I can see no fault with that statement. However, the ‘semi circular ring of asphalt around the village circumference’? They’ve obviously never been to Groats! Unless they are distinguishing between the ‘craft village’ and the actual village where people live! Heaven forbid we forget that people actually live and work in Groats.
It will be interesting to see how successful the chalets are though and if they can keep them fill over a longer season it can only be good for the county. Just as long as any further development is in keeping with the natural environment with focus on the wildlife and scenic value of the area.
I would sooner have Groats as a dismal outcrop than have it as De Savory has left Lands End where you have to pay to get in!!
There is no admission fee to get to Land's End. You could be getting mixed up with a possible car park fee which probably is a bit steep.
TrulyRural
10-Sep-10, 11:18
Check the link out below. I think the two comments says it all
http://www.thecarbuncles.co.uk/carb_comments.php?nomid=462
Sorry to be pedantic but the quoted bit of text does state ‘most northerly outpost’ and as the most northerly populated place on the mainland I can see no fault with that statement.
I shall be even more pedantic and argue that Scarfskerry is the most northerly village on the UK mainland :eek:;).
Check the link out below. I think the two comments says it all
http://www.thecarbuncles.co.uk/carb_comments.php?nomid=462
IMHO both commentators have hit the nail on the head. Groats has a great deal going for it. I enjoy eating out at The School House and the Seaview Hotel. I also enjoy wandering about Duncansby Head. I like it so much better when there a lot of Dutch and German tourists about who I can have a blether with. :D
Tubthumper
10-Sep-10, 11:33
I shall be even more pedantic and argue that Scarfskerry is the most northerly village on the UK mainland :eek:;).
I believe there are even signs of life at Dunnet Head.
There is no admission fee to get to Land's End. You could be getting mixed up with a possible car park fee which probably is a bit steep.
I think you will find that De Savary imposed a charge in 1983 after he turned it into a "Theme Park"....I remember going there and refusing to pay, since he sold it on I think the charge has been dropped. I much prefered the old Lands End which was very similar to Groats..ie, Hotel, first and Last house, small museum and of course the sign post!!!
C3....:)
TrulyRural
10-Sep-10, 12:17
It's funny you know, but having lived in Groats for three years, walking up and down, spending warm, wet and cold days up at Duncansby, climbing the hills and observing all that nature has to bring, rounded off with a visit to the Seaview for a few pints and a chat, you can often hear me cry at the end of the day...' oh my god, the deprivation!!!' ;)
I suppose that everyone has their own idea of what a carbuncle is. Whilst JOG is a bit of a shambles I am not sure it should have the title carbuncle. On the plus side it just make 'them' pull their fingers out and make it the sort of place it should be.
Goodness, did they not have to drive through Wick on their way to judge John O' Groats?! Haha.
Goodness, did they not have to drive through Wick on their way to judge John O' Groats?! Haha.
No, they hung a left at Latheron :D
Ian.
Duncansby
10-Sep-10, 14:04
I shall be even more pedantic and argue that Scarfskerry is the most northerly village on the UK mainland
Fair point. I did some calculations and found Scarfskerry to be 0.012 degrees further north. :lol:
I've decided Dunnet Head doesn't count as it isn't a village; although perhaps the auks, mallimaks and scorries would disagree ;)
Fair point. I did some calculations and found Scarfskerry to be 0.012 degrees further north. :lol:
I've decided Dunnet Head doesn't count as it isn't a village; although perhaps the auks, mallimaks and scorries would disagree ;)
And I, who lives in the real last house, would disagree also though I fall into neither of the above categories. My father's Wick nickname was Jimmy Scorrie so I suppose in a way I do fit the above.:)
I think you will find that De Savary imposed a charge in 1983 after he turned it into a "Theme Park"....I remember going there and refusing to pay, since he sold it on I think the charge has been dropped. I much prefered the old Lands End which was very similar to Groats..ie, Hotel, first and Last house, small museum and of course the sign post!!!
C3....:)
He may have done back then but I was there October last year and there was no admission charge. Theme park is not a term I'd give btw. :D
Walter Ego
10-Sep-10, 15:40
I suppose that everyone has their own idea of what a carbuncle is. Whilst JOG is a bit of a shambles I am not sure it should have the title carbuncle. On the plus side it just make 'them' pull their fingers out and make it the sort of place it should be.
And that's the problem, Veekay.
Just who is the 'them' that have to pull their fingers out?
And that's the problem, Veekay.
Just who is the 'them' that have to pull their fingers out?
My thoughts as well. Oh no not WADF again!
neepnipper
10-Sep-10, 18:16
This is going to be on the BBC local news shortly!
I think its a sin, on their website it calls Groats a small dismal town?? well.... its a village and small right enough, therefore all the more economically sensitive when given bad publicity possibly leading to reduced tourism in the county affecting all of us Golach's!!!
A right big get it up ye from me Carbuncle folk! The tourists come here to see Caithness, Sutherland and the Orkneys for the whole highland visit not just to go to Groats which has some awesome scenery and things to do....... You can keep your built up high crime areas where the folk are no as nice and you have til lock your door just till put the bin oot i know where i'd rather be!!
Douglas Cowie
10-Sep-10, 23:50
Very slanted and manipulated news item which didn't show any positives such as the craft shops, it just showed the run down hotel. Typical pi** poor BBC news item taking the rise out of the far north.
If they had bothered to show the Stacks of Duncansby, the sea tours, the fantastic views. the sea life.
Cheap news which will have a negative effect on tourism; just what we need (not!)
I was there October last year and there was no admission charge.
I think there was reference made to an £18 charge to get your photo taken with the sign bearing the legend:-
"Hi, I/we am/are the millionth person(s) to come up with the unoriginal idea of a Lands End/John O Groats, John O Groats/Lands End Somethingathon for Charridy"
I suppose that everyone has their own idea of what a carbuncle is. Whilst JOG is a bit of a shambles I am not sure it should have the title carbuncle. On the plus side it just make 'them' pull their fingers out and make it the sort of place it should be.
Yes and my idea of the biggest carbuncle seen in groats was the guy on TV standing all alone in Groats with the "plook" in his hand and no one to give it to, what a cheek they have, especially when he looked like a carbuncle himself
Mosser
Duncansby
11-Sep-10, 16:22
:lol:I thought at mysel'. He was sorely in need o a haircut!
Duncansby
11-Sep-10, 16:33
"Hi, I/we am/are the millionth person(s) to come up with the unoriginal idea of a Lands End/John O Groats, John O Groats/Lands End Somethingathon for Charridy"
I like this! When I was a teenager I used to work as a breakfast waitress in Groats and I mind one man who kept banging on about how he was doing LEJOG. The other guests were getting a bit tired of his obnoxious loudness and when he told me (again) that he was heading off to Land's End on foot. I replied that we often had LEJOG people in and the day before we had a guy staying who had come from Land's End riding a unicycle whilst blindfolded. There were a few sniggers round the dining room and he shut up after that...
Yes and my idea of the biggest carbuncle seen in groats was the guy on TV standing all alone in Groats with the "plook" in his hand and no one to give it to, what a cheek they have, especially when he looked like a carbuncle himself
Too right - what a scruffy numptie he turned out to be.
What puzzled me was, did he think the harbour and 'craft village' was all there was to Groats? Me thinks the he needs to get out more!
I went to John O'Groats today with family, had a wildlife cruise and a coffee and a snack there. Great afternoon out.
Kevin Milkins
11-Sep-10, 18:49
There is no such thing as bad publicity, I went up to Groat today and could not get near to the place to park my car :confused, because there was that many folk having a look at what all the fuss was about.;)
Whenever I get visitors to stay with us in Wick, we try and show them around the county and all of them have been surprised with what they see at J.O.G.:eek:
Myself and my wife have just had a fantastic time in JOG camping at Stroma view campsite, we will be coming up again soon too, we love the place and what it has to offer.
The new bit..ie the shops etc are nice but the hotel really lets the look of the place down.
If its renovated the whole place would be nicer as the eyesore would be gone.
There are nice bits there and I love the first and last shop for the novelty factor and dont want the whole place to become a theme park type must see place and like the understated ambvience of JOG. but there has to be more of a lure now ... but dont know what these days:eek:
Margaret M.
12-Sep-10, 00:47
If the hotel were brought back to its original beauty, I cannot imagine it not doing a good business. It has such potential but is a very sad sight now.
I think doing up the hotel as a normal hotel would be a very bad idea. There is no passing reason for folks to stay at Groats that isn't already provided by local B&Bs, campsites and such like.
It needs a specialist pull.
Isn't it a shame we orgers can't get together and buy the place. What would we do with it?
Isn't it a shame we orgers can't get together and buy the place. What would we do with it?
I took my Mum over to Groats the other day and we had a lovely time. Sun was shining, lots of tourists about, she enjoyed the shops, then tea and a cake - lovely!
Its such a shame to see the Hotel so run down. I can remember having dinner in the dining room with a fantastic view of the sun setting over Stroma and a drink before hand in the cosy (but tiny) bar infront of a roaring fire. Bliss.
I've always thought it could be a goldmine if done up by someone with a bit of get up and go about them. Imagine serving gorgeous lunches and a thriving bar and place to eat in the evenings. Such a shame to turn it into apartments.
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