If you’re a beer lover and looking for ales brewed by the elements, you must visit John O’Groats Brewery – the most northerly brewery on the UK mainland!
The John O’Groats Brewery is situated in the historic Last House which is the oldest building in John O’Groats – dating back to the 1700’s. Known widely through the Scottish Highlands as a “but-an-ben” house, the building was an old single-storey, two roomed cottage. The ‘but’ would be the room where the kitchen and family life would take place. The ‘ben’ was a room that was kept for entertaining guests.
The Last House was known to have housed descendants of Jan de Groot – whom the village is named after. A Dutchman, he operated the ferry between the mainland and Orkney, Jan de Groot charged a groat for safe passage across the Pentland Firth. The building once had a thatched roof but this was replaced with Caithness slates in the early 1900s which are still in place today.
The life of brewing at John O’Groats had simple beginnings, initially bringing together four local keen home-brewers who set up a small four barrel brewery in the old fire station in 2015. After producing a range of cask ales, the team moved into the Last House in 2019 to install the John O’Groats Brewery, visitor centre and bar.
Some of the ales produced by the brewery heavily take inspiration from the surrounding area and mythical legends, including the Pentland Firth where several tides meet and deep underwater reefs cause turbulence – known as ‘races’:
- Duncansby: A medium-bodied session traditional Pale Ale
- Swelkie: A golden Ale, blending hops with Amber Malted Barley
- Merry Men of Mey – An Indian Pale Ale
- Liddel Eddy – An easy-drinking Blonde Session Ale
- The Boars: An American Pale Ale with tropical and grapefruit flavours
There are also three other ales that make up the core range:
- Golden: As the name suggests, a Golden Ale with spicy fruit and biscuit flavours
- Amber: An Amber Ale with toffee flavours and berry overtones coming through
- Deep: A dark oatmeal Stout with dark chocolate and subtle coffee flavours
Booking is not required to visit the John O’Groats Brewery and visitor centre. You can turn up on the day to access a free audio visitor tour. You’ll learn about the area and the history of brewing in Caithness, and see the brewery production area. There’s also a well stocked shop full of ales, glassware and locally made produce and crafts.
If you have time, make sure you visit the intimate tasting room where you can relax and enjoy a pint of ale or a dram from one of the county’s distilleries. This is a lovely bar where you can see some of the original stone and timbers from when the Last House was built.
It’s very easy to spend a whole day or two around John O’Groats, here are some of our ideas:
- Follow the coastal path east from the brewery to find some secluded beaches and views across to Orkney. Search for tiny Groatie Buckies (cowrie shells) which are said to bring good luck to the finder!
- You can also follow the coastline all the way to Duncansby Head Lighthouse and Duncansby Stacks. This area is a popular spot for wildlife watching – the cliffs are home to nesting seabirds in spring and summer, and cetacean sightings of whales and dolphins are not uncommon! Walk down the hill and along the coast to get some amazing views of the Duncansby Stacks. Sturdy footwear is advised as the grassland can be muddy and slippery after heavy rain.
- Visit John O’Groats Mill which is a short walk west from John O’Groats along the coastal path and was newly reopened in 2025, being one of Scotland’s last working watermills. With audio and interactive displays, and mill machinery demonstrations it’s well worth going to explore.
- There are plenty of places for food and drink in John O’Groats, offering eat-in and takeaway options: Cafe Groats, Taste, The Cabin, The Seaview Hotel and 8 Doors Distillery are all in John O’Groats, whilst Mr Eddy’s Pit Stop at Gills Bay and Annie’s Bakery in Canisbay are just a short drive away.
- You can search for the gravestone of Jan de Groot in the nearby Canisbay Churchyard.
- Why not create your own Caithness drinks trail and visit the five Distillery and Brewery Tours in Caithness – 8 Doors Distillery which is just a short walk from the brewery, Wolfburn Distillery in Thurso, North Point Distillery – west of Forss, Dunnet Bay Distillery, and Old Pulteney Distillery in Wick.
