His Majesty gets a taste of Caithness at market stalls in John O'Groats
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The King was given a taste of the thriving food and drink sector in Caithness after he had officially opened 8 Doors Distillery at John O'Groats yesterday.
Local producers had set up market stalls in the square at the craft village, showcasing goods ranging from chocolate to charcuterie and from honey to jam, as well as beer, whisky, gin and rum.
As the King made his way from the distillery to the square, he stopped to speak to many delighted onlookers.
He was given a musical welcome by piper Lewis MacLeod, while Jack Simpson played a selection of tunes on the accordion – including a perfect version of God Save the King.
Charles accepted an invitation to sample a small glass of Morven single malt from Thurso's Wolfburn Distillery.
Braving increasingly heavy rain, His Majesty spent time chatting to all the stallholders and he was presented with two baskets full of local produce before being driven away.
He had spent just over an hour and a quarter in John O'Groats.
Jamie Stone, the MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, who was among the guests, said: "I think it's fantastic to see the King here in Caithness and looking at all this locally made food.
"We know that some of the best food comes from the north of Scotland and this royal stamp of approval means a huge amount to me and to the people of Caithness."
The King was introduced to community representatives and local business owners.
Andrew Mowat, treasurer of John O'Groats Development Trust, said: "It was excellent, and it just shows how everybody can come together and work together. I think he fair enjoyed speaking to everybody.
"When he was speaking to people from the community at the end he took his time and he was having a laugh."
His Majesty was interested to hear about the local tradition of beacon-lighting to mark royal occasions – a custom that dates back to Victorian times.
Retired local postmistress Nellie Manson and her daughter Fiona Harper carried out the task to mark the coronation in May, just as they had done at the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee event last summer. Mrs Manson's late husband Sandy, who was a veteran of the Arctic convoys during World War II, had lit previous beacons using the same torch poles.
Walter Mowat, chairman of John O'Groats Development Trust, pointed out that the poles have inscriptions dating back to Queen Victoria's 60th jubilee in 1897.
Previously the beacon site was Warth Hill, just to the south of the village, but recent ceremonies have involved a short procession from the John O'Groats signpost to the forge at the craft village.
Metal worker Robbie Anderson, of Wickcraft, was operating the forge during the royal visit with assistance from his daughter Jodie.
Mr Anderson created a knot out of metal, inspired by a legend about a "wind-seller" who was reputed to have lived at Duncansby.
