Tourists’ antics snap famous signpost that marks journey’s end

The world–famous John o’ Groats signpost has been snapped – after visitors were caught swinging on it.

The Journey’s End signpost at John o’ Groats marks the point 874 miles from Land’s End.

It is a popular spot for tourists looking to snap a picture with the sign and the start or end point for thousands of cyclists and walkers.

But the signpost, which was installed in 1964, has been damaged by tourists who decided to swing on the Orkney finger-post, which has now snapped off.

The John o’ Groats Development Trust said the sign has already been restored and painted earlier this year already at a “considerable cost”.

It is thought the iconic sign was damaged on Tuesday, and the group said it will now have to be removed and welded back together.

A statement from the trust read: “John o’ Groats has been delighted with the number of visitors that have been coming to enjoy the area in the last couple of weeks, but along with this comes some very challenging issues, where a very small minority don’t seem to be able to behave in a normal manner.

“Last night the public toilets had three hand gel dispensers broken and the bottles of gel stolen, then this morning some time between 5am and 7.30am someone decided to swing on the Orkney finger-post of the John o’ Groats signpost and has managed to snap it off.

“The signpost was restored and painted earlier this year already at a considerable cost and was looking well all fresh and clean, but now we will need to have it removed again and welded back together.

“We don’t know who is responsible but have had photos shown to us of people swinging on it the last few days.”

The group of people who were photographed swinging from the sign have now come forward and apologised.

“They have offered to make a donation, but they did not cause the damage, we know that from the time line of their picture,” said a spokesman for the trust.

“But their antics could have weakened it. A local firm, Caithness Creels, have replaced the damaged sign for free.”