Sutherland, Ross & Cromertie: Scotland's GeoPark

The landscape in Scotland's North West Highlands is the most dramatic I've ever seen: rugged peaks, give way to shining lochs and in October, rich autumn light gilds the gorse and heather. The more distant peaks beckon; it's easy to understand the lure of the mountaintops when you are standing beneath them. 

Ardvreck Castle and Loch Assynt, Sutherland

A 16th Century castle, Ardreck towers above Loch Assynt, in Sutherland. It was built by the Clan MacLeod (Highlander!) and James Graham, Marquess of Montrose was imprisoned in its dungeons before his trial and execution in Edinburgh. It's haunted, of course.

Amongst its ghosts one is a young girl who was betrothed to a devil in return for gaining his supernatural help to build the castle. She threw herself from a tower to escape her horrible fate. Some believe she became a mermaid, living in the Loch.