John O'Groats news
30th June 2010
Deloitte’s Ride Across Britain
Despite battling winds and rain on arrival in John O'Groats and negotiating some of the most infamous road hills in the UK, over 550 riders crossed the finish line in Land's End on Sunday 20th June 2010, bathed in Cornish sunshine.
The event sponsored by Deloitte’s, succeded in smashing the original fundraising target and a cheque for over £315,000 was presented to Paralympics GB at Land's End.
Our photograh show’s James Cracknell is one of Britain’s most successful athletes of all time, with two Olympic Golds and six World Championship titles and Rebecca Romero, Olympic gold medallist and World Champion looking through the visitors book in the John O’Groats Café Bar before the start of their journey.
For full details visit www.rideacrossbritain.com
1st March 2010
Seven celebrities, 1000 miles, four days!
Sport Relief veteran David Walliams has brought a whole host of celebrities together to cycle a nonstop relay through day and night from John O’Groats to Land’s End for Sport Relief. That’s over 1,000 miles of wind, rain, and rough terrain! And that's not to mention their target - they're hoping to raise £1 million for Sport Relief from their epic challenge! David has enlisted the likes of Davina McCall, Fearne Cotton, Jimmy Carr, Miranda Hart, Russell Howard and Patrick Kielty. Each celebrity will take turns on the bicycle while the others cheer them on from the tour bus - their home for four days. They left John O’Groats this morning – can they do it?
If you would like to support them and help them to raise their £1m target please visit the Sport Relief website at www.sportrelief.com
February 2010
New leisure development for John O'Groats
Two prominent UK tourism businesses are joining forces to lead the way with a multi-million pound plan to revitalise one of Scotland’s best known destinations, John O’Groats.
Following public consultation and the production of a Masterplan, commissioned by Highlands and Island Enterprise (HIE), Heritage GB has revised its development plans for the iconic landmark. The company has formed a new “joint venture” with luxury short break specialist Natural Retreats and together the companies have drawn up a vision for John O’Groats which they will be presenting to the local community.
The proposal is for the refurbishment and extension of the existing hotel, an exclusive leisure development of luxury self catering lodges and a visitor centre to encourage access across the site and into the wider area. Operated and managed by the highly successful Natural Retreats team, the proposed holiday properties would combine environmentally sustainable construction with cutting edge design to encourage visitors to spend more time in the region.
Ian McKee is the project manager with GLM Architects working with Natural Retreats on the John O'Groats project. The company was involved in re-developing the exclusive celebrity haunt, Ackergill Tower in Wick twenty years ago. "Ackergill Tower had fabulous potential but it had fallen into disrepair. At the time the then owner John Banister described the building as a sort of "Marie Celeste". You could well describe John O'Groats today as something of a ghost ship but with similar potential to create a really brilliant development,” he commented.
Chief Executive of Heritage Great Britain, Allan Leech, said: “We have listened to the community and responded with a solution which we believe would deliver long-term social, economic and employment benefits that the region deserves, while addressing concerns expressed during a number of meetings with local groups and residents. We have been impressed with Natural Retreats as a company and feel confident that by joining forces on this project the first phase will set the standard for the new John O’Groats visitor experience.”
“We are still in discussions with various people regarding other areas of the site,” adds Mr Leech, “These include the provision of retail units which will be considered on their own individual merits and will be subject to consultation when the time comes.”
Carol Gunn of HIE welcomed the partnership’s commitment to the project. “We are delighted that Heritage Great Britain, which is such a pivotal part of the future of John O’Groats, is actively driving forward plans to revitalise John O’Groats. The opportunities which redevelopment of this site will create will have a long-lasting impact on local people, businesses and tourists. HIE is delighted to have played a part in helping draw up a blueprint to stimulate interest and debate on what is needed.”
One of the benefits of the Natural Retreats model is that the company plans to create high quality self catering accommodation. It is anticipated that this will create additional business opportunities for existing and new provision of food and drink.
Public consultation regarding the Natural Retreats proposal is expected to take place in March 2010, prior to the submission of any formal planning application.
All proposed plans and visuals can be viewed at the following web address http://www.hie.co.uk/john-ogroats-masterplan-2009.htm. Please view the PDF downloads on the right handside of the page for plans and details.
For further information please contact Allan Leech at the Heritage Great Britain office on 0151 706 0077.
Annual Highland Games Summer 2009
The Mey Highland Games was held in Queen's Park, John O'Groats in early August. Traditional Highland Games with heavy events, track and field, tug o' war plus Highland dancing and junior piping.
See our Gallery page for more pictures>>
