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Caithness Postcards for Sale

Browse vintage Caithness postcards for sale, featuring collectable views of John o' Groats and the Castle of Mey, along with other towns across the county.

If you're interested in a neighbouring area, take a look at our Inverness & Highlands postcards, or use the search on this page to find a particular place name or landmark.

Caithness Postcards: John o' Groats and the Castle of Mey

John o' Groats is Caithness's best-known name, long treated as the far end of the famous Land's End to John o' Groats journey, even though the true northernmost point of the mainland lies a little further along the coast at Dunnet Head. The name comes from Jan de Groot, a Dutch ferryman said to have been granted a licence by King James IV to run crossings to Orkney in the late 15th century.

The Castle of Mey is another well-known Caithness subject. Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother bought the castle, then known as Barrogill Castle, in 1952 while grieving the death of King George VI, restored it and its gardens, and returned its old name. It remained her personal property, the only one she ever owned outright, until she gifted it to a trust in 1996.

Postcards from Wick, Thurso, Halkirk and Lybster, and other Caithness towns, appear in this collection too, and we add new stock regularly.

FAQs

Is John o' Groats really the most northerly point of mainland Britain?

Not quite. John o' Groats is the northernmost settlement on mainland Britain and the traditional end point of the Land's End to John o' Groats journey, but the actual northernmost point of the mainland is Dunnet Head, a little further along the coast.

Why did the Queen Mother buy the Castle of Mey?

Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother bought the Castle of Mey, then called Barrogill Castle, in 1952 while mourning the death of King George VI. She restored it and returned it to its old name, and it remained the only property she ever owned outright.

What period are these Caithness postcards from?

Most date from the early to mid-1900s, though this varies by item. Where a postcard has been posted, the postmark on the back can help pinpoint an exact date, and we note this in the listing where we know it.

Do your Caithness postcards cover towns beyond John o' Groats and Mey?

Yes, postcards from Wick, Thurso and other Caithness towns appear across the collection, and we add new stock regularly.

What condition are the postcards in?

We photograph each postcard closely so you can see its actual condition before you buy. Due to their age, some general wear is normal, such as light creasing, corner wear, or toning, and condition can vary from postcard to postcard.

How can I date an old Caithness postcard?

A postmark is the clearest clue on a posted card. Where there isn't one, we look at the printing style, the stamp box design and the publisher's mark to estimate an approximate era.

Do you combine postage if I order more than one postcard?

Yes, we combine postage across all items on our store. We post worldwide, and UK orders of £50 and over qualify for free shipping.

How are the postcards packaged when posted?

Each postcard is placed within a protective sleeve and posted in a hardback envelope, to keep it protected in transit.

Is the postcard photo the actual item I'll receive?

Yes, every photo shows the exact postcard you'll receive, not a generic or stock image.
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