Groats is a Carbuncle - official

[Walter Ego]

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?

[veekay]

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]

This is going to be on the BBC local news shortly!

[sporty]

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]

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!)

[scorrie]

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"

[Mosser]

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]

I thought at mysel'. He was sorely in need o a haircut!

[Duncansby]

"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...

[Gronnuck]

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!

[Rheghead]

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]

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 , 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.

[SteveBat]

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.

[Dadie]

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

[Margaret M.]

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.

[Rheghead]

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.

[veekay]

Isn't it a shame we orgers can't get together and buy the place. What would we do with it?

[rupert]

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.