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Behaviour of tourists is criticised on social media after John O'Groats signpost is broken


By David G Scott

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The craze had a number of Instagram users post images of themselves hanging from the famous sign at John O'Groats.
The craze had a number of Instagram users post images of themselves hanging from the famous sign at John O'Groats.

HUNDREDS of social media commentators have been united in condemnation of a craze that ended with the famous John O'Groats sign being broken.

Tourists were photographed climbing onto the structure and hanging from the fingerposts fitted at the top which show distances to various locations in the UK and beyond.

A variety of the images were shared on Instagram and drew a furious reaction after the Orkney fingerpost was discovered to have been snapped off yesterday morning.

Local businessman Walter Mowat said: "The signpost is there in a nice position for people to take pictures – but when you get folk doing stupid things like that it spoils it for everyone else."

Mr Mowat said he had not witnessed any of the "high jinks" as they occurred but had been made aware of the social media posts.

"I can't always be there but if I'd seen any of this happening I'd have let them know what I thought about it all," he added.

"It's only a small minority who spoil it for others. Thankfully we've got it sorted now and it's back in place."

The Orkney fingerpost was snapped off but has been repaired now.
The Orkney fingerpost was snapped off but has been repaired now.

Mr Mowat's son Andrew, who runs the Seaview Hotel in the village, said this morning: "We actually managed to get it fixed thanks to John Sinclair and Callum Shearer from Caithness Creels. John called earlier to offer help, then it was fixed by 8pm."

When the Instagram pictures were originally shared on the Facebook page for the John O'Groats Development Trust – of which Walter and Andrew Mowat are members – it drew more than 500 comments and was shared over 1000 times.

A social media commentator described the people in this posted image as a 'crew of clowns'.
A social media commentator described the people in this posted image as a 'crew of clowns'.

Jane McPhee wrote: "Probably just young people messing about and having fun but they are not realising the damage they’ve caused and how much that will be to repair, so the trust should definitely contact them or hopefully they may see the post themselves!"

Tommy Foubister said the "crew of clowns" should be found and made an example of before "this craze gets out of control" and more damage is done.

Mary Reid wrote: "It's only attention-seekers who would climb a respected landmark."

Michelle Anchor said that "their moronic, childish behaviour has spoiled the moment for others who will be visiting shortly".

A few days after this picture was taken the post was broken.
A few days after this picture was taken the post was broken.

Caroline Jamieson wrote: "We've been visiting up there for many years, we loved the remoteness and lack of tourists up there. Sadly since they invented the NC500 it's changed, lots more campervans and visitors going round the NC500 route. This is what you wanted and this is now the result – huge shame, another area ruined now!"

Myra Blake posted: "All the photos have Instagram names on them – can the police not deal with this and get them to make payment towards it or prosecute them for assisting in wilful damage?"

Many others urged the development trust to contact the police using the photographs as evidence, but there were calls from others to "tone down" the language being used as it felt like a witch-hunt.

In the original post from the development trust, a spokesperson for the group said it was only "a very small minority" who "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 sometime between 5am and 7.30am someone decided to swing on the Orkney fingerpost of the famous John O'Groats signpost and has managed to snap it off!

A young woman, said to be a law student, was lambasted on social media for sitting on top of the sign.
A young woman, said to be a law student, was lambasted on social media for sitting on top of the sign.

"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 thanks to some thoughtless folk.

"We don't know who is responsible but have had photos shown to us of people swinging on it the last few days, which would have increasingly weakened the post. It really is such a shame when a few clowns ruin things for hundreds of others."

The trust put out an updated message on the original post today saying that it had received "apologies and donations from several parties" who were seen in online pictures swinging on the sign.

"We, however, do not condone some of the abuse those people have received. Some have had some really terrible personal attacks sent in messages privately, which was never the intention. We highlighted it to stop others doing it and causing further damage.

"So going forward we hope that this will stop as will people swinging on it and it can remain for all to enjoy for years to come."

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