EDINBURGH, Scotland, Sept. 10 (UPI) -- John o' Groats, on northern mainland Britain, is to receive the Carbuncle Prize as the ugliest village in Scotland, Urban Realm magazine announced.
The village of about 300 people will be honored with the award, also known as "Plook on the Plinth," The Scotsman reported. It finished ahead of a number of other beauty spots, including Inverness, Lochgelly and East Kilbride.
"Home to Britain's most northerly derelict building, this windswept outpost was marked down by our judges for its reliance upon tourist tat and its over-commercialization, evidenced most prominently by the famous John o' Groats signpost," Urban Realm said in its announcement Thursday.
The sign should point to New York, the North Pole and other notable places. But the magazine said tourists who want to get a picture must pay more than $25 to get the directional signs put in place.
Local residents said they hope that a scheme to renovate the remains of the John o' Groats Hotel into a visitors' center and tourist apartments will add to the village's attractiveness.
via upi.com
