Cathelle Houses [Lair of Whitestone]

About Cathelle Houses [Lair of Whitestone]

Situated on the eastern shoulder of the Lochnagar massif, this high heathery plateau offers a peaceful vantage point away from the main Munro circuit. The terrain is typical of the Mounth, featuring peat hags and granite boulders, with excellent views looking down the Girnock Burn towards the prominent peak of Morven.

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Did You Know?

• •The name 'Lair of Whitestone' refers to the prominent white quartz boulders found across the shoulder; in Scots, a 'lair' can refer to a resting place or a specific patch of ground.
• •The 'houses' in the name Cathelle Houses likely refers to the distinct granite tors and rock clusters on the hillside which, through the mist, can take on the appearance of small, ruined stone buildings.
• •This hill sits on the high watershed separating Glen Girnock from the approaches to Glen Muick, serving as an important navigational marker for walkers exploring the eastern fringes of the Royal Forest.
• •It is the kind of place where you are more likely to encounter a stray grouse or a confused red deer than another human being, unless they have also developed a niche interest in obscure Aberdeenshire Tumps.