'Dead end' job at John O'Groats attracts 25 hopefuls

Published on Monday 11 May 2009 21:21

IT CAN be literally the last post for an apprentice – but more than 25 people applied to be a photographer at one of Scotland's most famous landmarks – the John O'Groats signpost in Caithness.

Applications to be based "at the end of the road" taking pictures of travellers next to the signpost came from as far away as Inverness.

But a man from nearby Freswick has been picked by official photographer Peter Dymond as his assistant for the forthcoming season.

"I was quite surprised how many people applied and how far away they came from. We had applications from both men and women," said Mr Dymond.

Nearly 200,000 people visit John O'Groats each year. Prices start at 9.50 for tourists to have their picture taken with the signpost.

John O'Groats is set to get a multi-million pound revamp, it was announced recently.

Planning consultants, including the former head of the Scottish Tourist Board, have been commissioned to come up with a new vision of the famous landmark.

The "masterplan", which has cost 40,000 to produce from Edinburgh-based consultants GVA Grimley, will see John O'Groats transformed with new shops, visitor attractions, food and drink outlets plus a new range of tourist accommodation.

The plan, commissioned by government agency Highland and Islands Enterprise, will also be used to lure financial backers and will lead to a planning application being submitted to Highland Council.

John O'Groats' attraction is based on the false premise that it is the most northerly point on the British mainland. However, that location is actually the nearby Dunnet Head.

The village is the furthest north on the British mainland, however.