Ellon, Aberdeenshire
Encyclopedia
Ellon is a town in Aberdeenshire
, Scotland
, approximately 16 miles (25.7 km) north of Aberdeen
, lying on the River Ythan
(icon) which has one of the few undeveloped river estuaries
on the Eastern coast
of Scotland. It is in the ancient region of Formartine
. Its name is believed to derive from the Gaelic term Eilean, signifying an island, on account of the presence of an island in the River Ythan, which historically offered a convenient fording point.
The Riverside Park offers walkways alongside the Ythan, from which herons, salmon, trout and otters may be observed.
Each of these schools has some type of greenspace
as well as a concrete
playground
. These schools feed into Ellon Academy
, the local secondary school
, which currently has a roll of about 1200 students; however, due to ongoing residential development in the area that figure is expected to rise. A new school is planned to contain the influx of new students, and is expected to be finished by the year 2015.
are evident in nearby Catto Long Barrow
, a massive stone structure somewhat northeast of Ellon, surrounded by agricultural fields.
centre, which includes a swimming pool
and café. Ellon also has one of northeast Scotland
's youth groups, which is situated at the Ythan Centre, a building dedicated to serving the needs of Ellon's teenage population. This facility includes a soundproofed room where amateur bands can practice and a large hall with roof to floor length mirrors, which the dance group Refresh uses for their weekly practise.
The Meadows sports centre, located on the outskirts of Ellon, has many sporting facilities and clubs, including football and rugby pitches, an astroturf pitch for hockey, a gym, and a multi-use sports hall. The Meadows is also home to the Ellon United football team, the Ellon RFC and the Ellon HC.
demand, and is one of the main dormitory towns for Aberdeen
. It is part of the proposed Energetica corridor of development. The population is expanding as young families seek to escape Aberdeen
and move to nearby towns like Ellon, Inverurie
and Banchory
. During 2006, Ellon ranked as the town with the fourth most rapidly increasing average house prices in Scotland.
, which offers convenient access to Aberdeen
to the south and Peterhead
and Fraserburgh
to the north. Other major road links are the A920 west to Oldmeldrum
and Huntly, and the A948 north to New Deer
.
Regular and frequent bus services link Ellon with Aberdeen
, Inverurie
, Peterhead
, Fraserburgh
and surrounding towns and villages, serving both the town centre and the large Park and Ride
facility at the eastern edge of the town.
Ellon was a principal station on the Great North of Scotland Railway
line that ran from Aberdeen to Fraserburgh and Peterhead. Due to the Beeching Axe
, passenger services were withdrawn on the line in 1965. Freight services continued on the line until 1979 (Fraserburgh only, the Maud-Peterhead section was closed in 1970), at which point the entire line was closed.
The former railway line was purchased by Grampian Regional Council in 1981, and is now part of the National Cycling Route network.
Due to the population expansion since the North Sea Oil boom, the A90
has become overloaded between Aberdeen, Ellon and Peterhead. The Aberdeen Crossrail project has looked at reopening sections of the former railway, however as of March 2009 this is still unlikely.
A branch line that ran to Boddam
via Cruden Bay
started at Ellon. This closed in 1945.
Aberdeenshire
Aberdeenshire is one of the 32 unitary council areas in Scotland and a lieutenancy area.The present day Aberdeenshire council area does not include the City of Aberdeen, now a separate council area, from which its name derives. Together, the modern council area and the city formed historic...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, approximately 16 miles (25.7 km) north of Aberdeen
Aberdeen
Aberdeen is Scotland's third most populous city, one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas and the United Kingdom's 25th most populous city, with an official population estimate of ....
, lying on the River Ythan
River Ythan
The Ythan is a river in the north-east of Scotland rising at Wells of Ythan near the village of Ythanwells and flowing south-eastwards through the towns of Fyvie, Methlick and Ellon before flowing into the North Sea near Newburgh, in Formartine...
(icon) which has one of the few undeveloped river estuaries
Ythan Estuary
The Ythan Estuary is the tidal component of the Ythan River, emptying into the North Sea approximately north of Aberdeen, Scotland. The estuary’s tidal action extends a full inland and has characteristic widths of between and . Besides the tidal channel there are several types of interfaces to...
on the Eastern coast
Coast
A coastline or seashore is the area where land meets the sea or ocean. A precise line that can be called a coastline cannot be determined due to the dynamic nature of tides. The term "coastal zone" can be used instead, which is a spatial zone where interaction of the sea and land processes occurs...
of Scotland. It is in the ancient region of Formartine
Formartine
Formartine is a committee area in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. This district has a long history and extends north from the River Don. It has a population of 36,478 ....
. Its name is believed to derive from the Gaelic term Eilean, signifying an island, on account of the presence of an island in the River Ythan, which historically offered a convenient fording point.
Places of interest
Places of interest within the town include the ruins of Ellon Castle, surrounded by walls known as the Deer Dyke, and the Auld Brig, a category A listed bridge across the Ythan, built in 1793 and still in use as a pedestrian bridge.The Riverside Park offers walkways alongside the Ythan, from which herons, salmon, trout and otters may be observed.
Education
The town has three primary schools:- Ellon Primary School
- Auchterellon Primary School
- Meiklemill Primary School
Each of these schools has some type of greenspace
Open space reserve
Open space reserve, open space preserve, and open space reservation, are planning and conservation ethics terms used to describe areas of protected or conserved land or water on which development is indefinitely set aside...
as well as a concrete
Concrete
Concrete is a composite construction material, composed of cement and other cementitious materials such as fly ash and slag cement, aggregate , water and chemical admixtures.The word concrete comes from the Latin word...
playground
Playground
A playground or play area is a place with a specific design for children be able to play there. It may be indoors but is typically outdoors...
. These schools feed into Ellon Academy
Ellon Academy
Ellon Academy is a secondary comprehensive school in the Aberdeenshire town of Ellon.-History:Founded as Ellon Public School, the building was opened at 10:00AM, on 22 May 1876. It was responsible for the education of both primary and secondary students, and it wasn't until 1962 that the two were...
, the local secondary school
Secondary school
Secondary school is a term used to describe an educational institution where the final stage of schooling, known as secondary education and usually compulsory up to a specified age, takes place...
, which currently has a roll of about 1200 students; however, due to ongoing residential development in the area that figure is expected to rise. A new school is planned to contain the influx of new students, and is expected to be finished by the year 2015.
Early area history
Earliest nearby human traces from prehistoryPrehistory
Prehistory is the span of time before recorded history. Prehistory can refer to the period of human existence before the availability of those written records with which recorded history begins. More broadly, it refers to all the time preceding human existence and the invention of writing...
are evident in nearby Catto Long Barrow
Catto Long Barrow
Catto Long Barrow is a prehistoric site in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. The site is known locally as Cairn Catto. The extant monument extends for a length of 49 metres.-References:* United Kingdom Ordnance Survey Map 1:50,000 scale, Landranger series...
, a massive stone structure somewhat northeast of Ellon, surrounded by agricultural fields.
Leisure
Ellon has a communityCommunity
The term community has two distinct meanings:*a group of interacting people, possibly living in close proximity, and often refers to a group that shares some common values, and is attributed with social cohesion within a shared geographical location, generally in social units larger than a household...
centre, which includes a swimming pool
Swimming pool
A swimming pool, swimming bath, wading pool, or simply a pool, is a container filled with water intended for swimming or water-based recreation. There are many standard sizes; the largest is the Olympic-size swimming pool...
and café. Ellon also has one of northeast Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
's youth groups, which is situated at the Ythan Centre, a building dedicated to serving the needs of Ellon's teenage population. This facility includes a soundproofed room where amateur bands can practice and a large hall with roof to floor length mirrors, which the dance group Refresh uses for their weekly practise.
The Meadows sports centre, located on the outskirts of Ellon, has many sporting facilities and clubs, including football and rugby pitches, an astroturf pitch for hockey, a gym, and a multi-use sports hall. The Meadows is also home to the Ellon United football team, the Ellon RFC and the Ellon HC.
Housing
Ellon has benefited from the North Sea oilNorth Sea oil
North Sea oil is a mixture of hydrocarbons, comprising liquid oil and natural gas, produced from oil reservoirs beneath the North Sea.In the oil industry, the term "North Sea" often includes areas such as the Norwegian Sea and the area known as "West of Shetland", "the Atlantic Frontier" or "the...
demand, and is one of the main dormitory towns for Aberdeen
Aberdeen
Aberdeen is Scotland's third most populous city, one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas and the United Kingdom's 25th most populous city, with an official population estimate of ....
. It is part of the proposed Energetica corridor of development. The population is expanding as young families seek to escape Aberdeen
Aberdeen
Aberdeen is Scotland's third most populous city, one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas and the United Kingdom's 25th most populous city, with an official population estimate of ....
and move to nearby towns like Ellon, Inverurie
Inverurie
Inverurie is a Royal Burgh and town in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, approximately north west of Aberdeen on the A96 road and is served by Inverurie railway station on the Aberdeen to Inverness Line...
and Banchory
Banchory
Banchory is a burgh or town in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, lying approximately 18 miles west of Aberdeen, near where the Feugh River meets the River Dee.- Overview :...
. During 2006, Ellon ranked as the town with the fourth most rapidly increasing average house prices in Scotland.
Transport
Ellon is bypassed by the A90 roadA90 road
The A90 road is a major north to south road in eastern Scotland, running from Edinburgh to Fraserburgh in Aberdeenshire.From Edinburgh, it travels west and over the Forth Road Bridge, before turning into the M90 motorway. At Perth, the M90 again becomes the A90, now running north east to Dundee...
, which offers convenient access to Aberdeen
Aberdeen
Aberdeen is Scotland's third most populous city, one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas and the United Kingdom's 25th most populous city, with an official population estimate of ....
to the south and Peterhead
Peterhead
Peterhead is a town in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It is Aberdeenshire's biggest settlement , with a population of 17,947 at the 2001 Census and estimated to have fallen to 17,330 by 2006....
and Fraserburgh
Fraserburgh
Fraserburgh is a town in Aberdeenshire, Scotland with a population recorded in the 2001 Census at 12,454 and estimated at 12,630 in 2006. It lies at the extreme northeast corner of Aberdeenshire, around north of Aberdeen, and north of Peterhead...
to the north. Other major road links are the A920 west to Oldmeldrum
Oldmeldrum
Oldmeldrum is a village and parish in the Formartine area of Aberdeenshire, not far from Inverurie in North East Scotland. With a growing population of over 2000, Oldmeldrum falls within Scotland's top 300 centres of population. The A947 road from Aberdeen to Banff runs through the centre of the...
and Huntly, and the A948 north to New Deer
New Deer
New Deer is a settlement in Aberdeenshire, North East Scotland that lies in the valley of Deer. It was founded after monks from Deer Abbey, Old Deer built a chapel at Auchreddie, which translates as "field of the bog myrtle". Around 1507 the register of Deer Abbey lists its lands in the "new...
.
Regular and frequent bus services link Ellon with Aberdeen
Aberdeen
Aberdeen is Scotland's third most populous city, one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas and the United Kingdom's 25th most populous city, with an official population estimate of ....
, Inverurie
Inverurie
Inverurie is a Royal Burgh and town in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, approximately north west of Aberdeen on the A96 road and is served by Inverurie railway station on the Aberdeen to Inverness Line...
, Peterhead
Peterhead
Peterhead is a town in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It is Aberdeenshire's biggest settlement , with a population of 17,947 at the 2001 Census and estimated to have fallen to 17,330 by 2006....
, Fraserburgh
Fraserburgh
Fraserburgh is a town in Aberdeenshire, Scotland with a population recorded in the 2001 Census at 12,454 and estimated at 12,630 in 2006. It lies at the extreme northeast corner of Aberdeenshire, around north of Aberdeen, and north of Peterhead...
and surrounding towns and villages, serving both the town centre and the large Park and Ride
Park and ride bus services in the United Kingdom
Park and ride bus services in the United Kingdom are bus services designed to provide intermodal passenger journeys between a private mode of transport and a shared mode bus. The common model of bus based park and ride model is transfer from a private car to a public transport bus, although schemes...
facility at the eastern edge of the town.
Ellon was a principal station on the Great North of Scotland Railway
Great North of Scotland Railway
The Great North of Scotland Railway was one of the smaller Scottish railways before the grouping, operating in the far north-east of the country. It was formed in 1845 and received its Parliamentary approval on June 26, 1846, following over two years of local meetings...
line that ran from Aberdeen to Fraserburgh and Peterhead. Due to the Beeching Axe
Beeching Axe
The Beeching Axe or the Beeching Cuts are informal names for the British Government's attempt in the 1960s to reduce the cost of running British Railways, the nationalised railway system in the United Kingdom. The name is that of the main author of The Reshaping of British Railways, Dr Richard...
, passenger services were withdrawn on the line in 1965. Freight services continued on the line until 1979 (Fraserburgh only, the Maud-Peterhead section was closed in 1970), at which point the entire line was closed.
The former railway line was purchased by Grampian Regional Council in 1981, and is now part of the National Cycling Route network.
Due to the population expansion since the North Sea Oil boom, the A90
A90 road
The A90 road is a major north to south road in eastern Scotland, running from Edinburgh to Fraserburgh in Aberdeenshire.From Edinburgh, it travels west and over the Forth Road Bridge, before turning into the M90 motorway. At Perth, the M90 again becomes the A90, now running north east to Dundee...
has become overloaded between Aberdeen, Ellon and Peterhead. The Aberdeen Crossrail project has looked at reopening sections of the former railway, however as of March 2009 this is still unlikely.
A branch line that ran to Boddam
Boddam, Aberdeenshire
Boddam is a coastal village in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It is north of Aberdeen and south of Peterhead. Sea cliffs rise to , south of the village: a coastal path leads along these to the Bullers of Buchan....
via Cruden Bay
Cruden Bay
Cruden Bay is a small village in Scotland, on the north coast of the Bay of Cruden in Aberdeenshire, 26 miles north of Aberdeen.Just south of Slains Castle, Cruden Bay was the site of a battle between Danes and Scots under King Malcolm II in 1012...
started at Ellon. This closed in 1945.
Notable people
- Alexander MitchellAlexander Mitchell (politician)Alexander Mitchell was a Scottish-born banker, railroad financier and Democratic politician in Milwaukee.He was born in Ellon, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and immigrated to the United States in 1839...
(1817–1887), U.S. Representative from Wisconsin - Teddy ScottTeddy ScottHarry Edward 'Teddy' Scott is a Scottish former footballer and coach, who has served Aberdeen F.C. in a number of capacities since joining the club in 1954....
(b. 1929), footballer, coach for Aberdeen F.C.Aberdeen F.C.Aberdeen Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Aberdeen... - Tom PateyTom PateyTom Patey was a Scottish climber, mountaineer and writer. Although he was a leading Scottish climber of his day, particularly excelling on winter routes, he his probably best known for his humorous songs and prose about climbing, many of which were published posthumously in the collection One...
(b. 1932), mountaineer and doctor - Paul SturrockPaul SturrockPaul Whitehead Sturrock is a Scottish football manager who, since July 2010, is the manager of Southend United. Until this appointment, Sturrock had most recently been at English League 1 club Plymouth Argyle in a business support role, having been relieved of his managerial duties, until he quit...
(b. 1956), footballer - Evelyn GlennieEvelyn GlennieDame Evelyn Elizabeth Ann Glennie, DBE is a Scottish virtuoso percussionist. She was the first full-time solo percussionist in 20th-century western society.-Early life:Glennie was born and raised in Aberdeenshire...
(b. 1965), percussionist - Fiona CampbellFiona CampbellFiona Campbell , also known as Fee or Weefee, is a Scottish cricketer who has represented her country in several international matches....
(b. 1981), international cricketer - Natalie RossNatalie RossNatalie Ross is a Scottish female international football midfielder. She currently plays her club football for Hibernian Ladies, on loan from Arsenal Ladies and has represented Scotland at youth and senior level.-Club career:...
(b. 1989), footballer for Arsenal women's team