One of the best things we did during our time in Inverness was a day trip to John O’Groats from Inverness. It was the most we saw of the Scottish Highlands and the surrounding coast, and it fully immersed us into the beautiful country.
Of course, a day trip to John O’Groats from Inverness is not really possible without a tour. We decided to go with Timberbush Tours, who were excellent throughout. Along the way they stopped at numerous places, including Dunrobin Castle, and were excellent value for money (£62.00 per person).
This is what to expect from such a tour and what to look out for when booking. I hope that you find it useful!
Day Trip to John O’Groats from Inverness | Your Quick Guide
Starting the Day Trip – Timings and What to Bring
Inverness is a fair way away from John O’Groats. In fact, it is 120 miles! Our tour picked us up at 08:15 near the bus station in the centre of Inverness and the entire day was around 11 hours. Whilst this seems like a long time, I would argue that most tours will take this time from Inverness. Before setting off, we made sure that we had packed enough water and snacks for the way.
What I loved about Timberbush Tours was the atmospheric music which played as we drove up the A9. Our guide had selected music which was classically Scottish, ranging from Braveheart to Outlander. Even if you decide to go with somebody else, I would strongly suggest making a playlist like this. It genuinely added a lot to our experience!
Stop 1: Dunrobin Castle 🏰
📍 Approx. 1 hour from Inverness
Our first stop on our day trip to John O’Groats from Inverness was the beautiful Dunrobin Castle. This historic seat of the Sutherland family is reminiscent of a Bavarian castle and it has to be one of the most stunning castles in Scotland.
You can check out my blogpost on a day trip to Dunrobin Castle, however the main things to do here are:
- Explore the many rooms and corridors of the castle. These are all wonderfully decorated and have original features in them.
- Take your time to explore the gardens which look like they have come out of a French chateau. Not surprising as they are apparently inspired by the Palace of Versailles! There are also some great coastal views here too.
- At certain points of the day you can also watch the legendary falconry display.
Top Tip: If you do go through Timberbush Tours, note that the entrance fee (£15.50 per adult) is not included in the tour price.
Stop 2: John O’ Groats
📍 Approx. 3 hours from Inverness
John O’Groats is the northernmost point in mainland Britain and attracts travellers from all over. The town is quite small and, whilst there is not lots to see, the scenery and local wildlife more than makes up for it.
Things to Do in John O’ Groats
📸 Perhaps the most iconic thing to do in John O’Groats is to take a photo of the iconic signpost. It has distances to cities across the world and is a must-do for every visitor.
🌊 If you walk along the pier you can take in some incredible coastal scenery. All around you is the North Sea and, in front of you, you’ll be able to spot the Orkney Islands.
🐦 The waters around John O’Groats are rich in marine life. Throughout the year you can see an entire ensemble of animals, including puffins, seals, dolphins and, if you are really lucky, orca.
🏞 Nearby are the Duncansby Stacks, just a short drive away. These are large, towering sea stacks and rugged cliffs, making it one of the best coastal views in Scotland. Again, if you time it right, you’ll be able to see a range of seabirds. Our tour took us here on the way back and, from the car park, the walk was about half a mile.
The Return Journey
Much of our return journey was spent on the road and listening to more Scottish music. However, we also stopped at a few classic Highland villages and photo sites. The way to John O’Groats from Inverness takes you through the heart of the Highlands, and this is arguably one of the best ways to see it.
Why Choose Timberbush Tours for Your Day Trip?
We didn’t collaborate with Timberbush Tours, but I wanted to give them a shoutout as they were incredible. The itinerary was perfectly planned and went without any issues. Plus, our guide Andy was highly knowledgable, friendly and went the extra mile to make sure we had a great day.
You can read more about the tour we took here.
Final Thoughts | Day Trip to John O’Groats from Inverness
Our day trip to John O’Groats from Inverness was one of the highlights of our two weeks in Scotland 2024. I felt that I really got to know the Highlands and understood Scotland that bit more after our tour. Like I said, Timberbush Tours were excellent and made this trip so memorable. I would thoroughly recommend them for your next Scottish adventure.
