Latest news
New John o'Groats masterplan unveiled
A masterplan for a major redevelopment of John o'Groats in Scotland has been unveiled by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and the London-based consultants, GVA Grimley.
The plans, which will cover a 5-hectare (12.4-acre) site in the centre of the town, have been drawn up to incorporate suggestions put forward by local residents, businesses and tourists as part of a public consultation. A destination focal point has been proposed as part of the vision, which could take the form of either a sculpture or an artwork and would help to draw 'end to enders' to a main square near the town's harbour.
The scheme would be developed in four stages, with the first phase set to include the restoration or replacement of the John o'Groats hotel, a new harbour square, a refurbished Last House Museum and work to upgrade the coastal paths to Duncansby Head and the John o'Groats Mill. HIE's Carol Gunn said: "This masterplan gives John o'Groats the opportunity to offer visitor facilities which will match its iconic status, a transformation it has long deserved.
"It is an important step forward, for the first time there is a plan for the whole site rather than piecemeal development ideas. The potential of this shared vision will be key in attracting private investors." GVA Grimley's planning consultancy director, Richard Slipper, added: "We have focused in on the key requests - to address the core harbour area and on a physical masterplan for a new spatial layout which addresses realistic long-term market and business capacity."