Castle of Ardvreck stands by the shores of Loch Assynt in some of the most spectacular scenery of the British Isles… late 16th century, the castle was built on a small peninsula, access to which was controlled by a rampart. Throughout the short period of occupation it was the scene of considerable violence both within the MacLeod family and with neighbours. In 1672 the castle was besieged for two weeks by the MacKenzies of Wester Ross whose success broke the MacLeod's control of the area. The castle changed hands and in 1726 it was abandoned, only to be struck by lightning a few years later… a number of ghosts are said to haunt the ruins.

Cawdor Castle FOURTEENTH-century Cawdor Castle is associated with Macbeth, but was built too late to have been the place of Duncan's murder. Two years ago, two tourists reported seeing the figure of a lady in blue velvet in the drawing-room, looking longingly at the portrait of the first Baron Cawdor. Castle historians say the apparition fits the description of the baron's wife, Lady Caroline.

Above; castle Stalker, a drawing by P McLean.

SOME OF THE MORE REMOTE CASTLES OF SCOTLAND This is a new section, one which we will update every now and then, as takes our fancy!!!  It is here to introduce you to some of our most distant castles, remote but you can visit them.  By no means is this going to be every castle in every remote place, just some ideas for you, and aye, REMEMBER, we can take you there, or arrange your trip if you wish, just mail us and we will do it all for you.

HAUNTED CASTLES OF SCOTLAND WITH hundreds of years of feuds, battles, murders, curses and broken love affairs, it is no surprise that Scottish castles have more than their fair share of ghost stories. Whether or not you believe them, the tales of Scotland's haunted castles throw up some fascinating glimpses of the past.  Glamis, Angus THE childhood home of the late Queen Mother is sometimes claimed to be the most haunted castle in Scotland. The Grey Lady of Glamis is said to be the ghost of beautiful Janet Duncan, accused of being a witch and tortured, then burned alive by followers of King James V. Today she allegedly wafts around the castle, praying - accompanied by loud knocking noises. Glamis is also said to be haunted by a serving maid who had her tongue cut out by the fourth earl of Crawford. yelled at by a servant for playing cards on Sunday, he cursed: "I'll play with the devil himself until doomsday." He was engulfed in flames and condemned to play cards for eternity.

Stirling Castle BESIEGED by William Wallace and Robert the Bruce, Stirling Castle has had a singularly bloody history. It is reputedly haunted by a Green Lady, a serving-maid to Mary, Queen of Scots, who died saving her mistress when her bed caught fire. Elphinstone Tower is said to house the ghosts of conjoined twins held captive by James V and used as an oracle, even after one of them died. Many visitors also claim to have seen a ghost in Highland dress, whom they mistake for a tour guide. When they ask directions, he disappears.

Hermiston Castle, Newcastleton THE ruined Hermiston Castle in the Borders is said to be home to some of the nastiest ghosts in Scotland. Sir William Soulis, who plotted against Robert the Bruce, was said to be a master of the black arts. "Bad Lord Soulis" had a demonic helper called Robin Redpath, and was said to kidnap local children to use their blood in rituals. When the Bruce said "boil him if you must", the locals took him at his word - and boiled him, head first. His ghost is said to be accompanied by the sound of weeping children. The ruins are also said to be haunted by the groaning ghost of Sir Alexander Ramsay, a 14th-century sheriff who was imprisoned in the dungeons and starved to death.

Balgonie Castle, Fife THE Laird of Balgonie, Raymond Morris, claims there are nine ghosts, which are "like part of the family". Since Morris moved to the restored castle in 1985, he says, his son Stuart has seen a ghost dog, a disembodied head and an old man. Margaret, the Lady of Balgonie, says she woke suddenly to see a man in 17th-century dress sitting in her room. She later recognised him from a portrait as the first Earl of Leven. Balgonie's most famous ghost, Green Jeannie, was described as "a well-known phantom" in the 19th century. She was recently said to have been captured on film by a wedding guest at the castle.

Brodick Castle, Arran AT LEAST three ghosts reputedly haunt Brodick Castle, the ancestral seat of the Hamiltons. A grey man is sometimes described sitting in the library. A wailing woman is said to be the ghost of a woman suffering from the Black Death who was imprisoned in the dungeons and starved to death, while a spectral white deer is said to run through the grounds of the castle whenever the head of the Hamiltons is close to death.

Neidpath Castle, Peebles Scotland's most romantic ghost is the Maid of Neidpath, who wanders Neidpath Castle mourning a love lost. The Maid was Jean Douglas, the only daughter of the Earl of March, she was denied permission to marry a young man of the Borders. She fell ill and, fearing for her life, her father sent for the young Borderer, who galloped to Neidpath "with loose rein and bloody spur". His love watched from a window, but was so changed by illness that the young man failed to recognise her. Heartbroken, she died of grief and her ghost has haunted the castle ever since. The maid is said to be particularly disturbed by sounds of merriment and it is claimed she has thrown tantrums lasting three days.

ONE OF THE MOST PHOTOGRAPHED CASTLES IN SCOTLAND; left; Castle Stalker in the west highlands. Now a private residence.

Scotland is crammed full of castles, so whatever tour you are on, you are bound to see many! We can even arrange for you to stay overnight in a castle - just ask us.

AROS CASTLE Mull, There are some castles on Mull lived in and some very ruinous, should you wish, we can drive you to all of them! Below is shown Castle Moy, also on Mull and below that Duart Castle Mull, home to the Clan Chief Maclean.