I loved so many places on our trip around the NC500 (Scotland's route around the Highlands), but if got the chance to return, aside from the places I didn't get to visit, I'd spend a bit more time in Durness with its many white sand beaches. Sure, it's anything but tropical, but a change from the rocky beaches we have in the PNW.
Salmon Cascades on the Sol Duc river is one of the best places in Olympic National Park to view salmon during their annual Autumn migration.