John o' Groat's House

John o' Groat's House, in Caithness, 1½ mile W. of Duncansbay Head, and 18 miles N. of Wick, was, according to tradition, an octagonal building with eight doors and windows and an eight-sided table within, built by John o' Groat to prevent dissensions as to precedence among the eight different branches of his family. Whatever the origin of the legend, which resembles that of the Round Table, it is certain that between 1496 and 1525 there was one 'John o' Grot of Duncansbay, baillie to the Earl in those parts,' and probably a Hollander. An outline on the turf marks the site of the house; and the neighbouring hotel (1876) has, appropriately enough, an octagonal tower. 'Frae Maidenkirk to John o' Groat's' (Burns) is the Scottish equivalent of 'from Dan to Beersheba,' Maidenkirk being Kirkmaiden in the Mull of Galloway. For 'John o' Groat's buckies,' see COWRY.