Day 99: Keiss to John O’Groats

99 days, 1,283 miles later. 

• Date: 27 June 2024
• Start: Keiss
• End: John O’Groats
• Miles: 12.5
• Total miles: 1,283.1
• Accommodation: Seaview Hotel

I didn’t sleep that well last night in anticipation for today. I woke up at 4am and just lay there until 6am before getting up and packing up the tent for the final time. 

It was a beautiful morning, and was forecast to be all day. A perfect ending. 

I put on my boots for the final time, and packed up my bag for the last time too. 

I set off back along the cliffs, and was met with the same great views I’ve had the previous few days. 

I was surprised to pass a pig farm, full of little piglets running around. It makes a change from constantly seeing cows. 

I continued along the cliffs, then along a beach, to the hamlet of Skirza. 

I then climbed the final set of cliffs, as I headed around various rock formations to a high point on the cliffs. 

The famous Duncansby Stacks came into view, looking fantastic in the sunshine. There were a lot of people walking around here, and for good reason. 

For the final stretch, I walked by the Duncansby Head Lighthouse, then along the coast by a stunning beach, where John O’Groats came into view. 

Before the obligatory John O’Groats signpost, I needed to officially finish the John O’Groats Trail first, whose finish line was metres from the signpost. 

Then for the big one, the touching of the John O’Groats signpost and the photo that goes with it. 

I couldn’t wait to take my boots off, so immediately sat down for a bit, took them off, then went back to the signpost for more photos after the queue had died down. 

After putting my wrecked boots into the nearest bin, I headed to the John O’Groats brewery nearby for a celebratory pint, before heading to the hotel. 

It didn’t quite sink in when I arrived at the John O’Groats signpost and finished this epic walk. It felt like I’d just finished another trail, so I guess it’ll take a few days for me to take it all in. 

Thanks to all of you who have kept up to date with this blog, supported me, joined me on the walk, and donated. It’s probably the greatest achievement of my life so far, and I won’t forget it in a hurry!