ELLON

	Historic Overview

Ellon probably derives its name from the Gaelic 'Eilean' meaning island and the town's historical significance is based on its situation at the ford on the River Ythan. The town is located at a point where the river is low enough to be forded and so for many years it was the main crossing point for traffic going to and from the Buchan area. The New Inn Hotel, recently demolished fr a housing development and located opposite the river, was previously a changeover point for horses pulling coaches between Aberdeen and Peterhead. The town was the main settlement of the Pictish province of Buchan before 400BC and in the Middle Ages the Celtic Mormaers and then the Norman (Comyn) Earls of Buchan held court and dispensed justice at the Moot Hill. This site is now marked by a monument beside the Market Street car park. Ellon was one of the places burned in the harrying of Buchan in 1308, following Robert the Bruce's defeat of the Comynes near Oldmeldrum. The ruins of Ellon Castle can be seen from various parts of the town. The castle was formerly known as the ancient fort of Ardgith and a number of castles have been built on this site. Sadly it is not currently open to the public, although the impressive Deer Dykes (12 foot high walls) around the castle grounds can be seen from Castle Road. The area around Ellon has been turned into a rich agricultural area through hard work and innovation as told in the words of many traditional 'bothy' ballads. The River Ythan also brought commercial importance to Ellon through the use of shallow drafted boats from Newburgh, operating a shipping service into the Meadows in Ellon until about the 1950s. Ellon has grown rapidly since the 1970's. The advent of North Sea Oil and the associated demands for new housing developments saw the town grow rapidly and change its role from a traditional market centre for the surrounding rural area to a commuter town for Aberdeen. Today, the majority of the town's residents are employed outwith the town and look to Aberdeen for many shopping and leisure activities. Ellon has now graduated from ATP but the thrust of the strategy was to ensure a more sustainable future for the town with a better balance of work, life and leisure, building on the many attributes, qualities and opportunities the town has. Ellon now provides an ideal base for visitors wishing to visit National Trust and Historic Scotland properties in the area, as well as being close to magnificent beaches and coastal villages. The town is also a good centre for bird watchers with several estuary sites, inland lochs, and cliff nesting sites nearby.

Places of Interest The Old Bridge: Known as the 'Auld Brig' this category A listed building built in 1793 stands to the east of the new road bridge and is open to pedestrian traffic. Moot Hill Monument: The site of the court of the Celtic Mormaers and the Norman Earls of Buchan is located next to the Riverside car park and today is marked with a small monument and seating area. Ellon Riverside Park: The riverside area is easily accessible to the public and includes a footpath which runs alongside the river for the length of the town. A wealth of wildlife is found in this area, including herons, salmon, trout and even the elusive otter. The river was previously a rich source of pearl mussels and one pearl found in the river was of such high quality that it was presented to King James VI and now forms one of the brightest jewels in the Scottish Crown. Haddo Country Park: Open all year round with woodland walks and picnic areas. A ranger service provides a programme of guided walks. The visitor centre displays information on the history of the park and the flora and fauna found there. For information on the opening hours of the centre, telephone 01651 851489. Haddo House: An imposing mansion built by William Adam in 1732 for the 2nd Earl of Aberdeen, and now managed by the National Trust for Scotland. The site is also the home of the famous Haddo House Choral and Operatic Society. Telephone 01651 851440 to check opening hours.

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	Facts and figures

Town profile

> click here to view the town profile

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	Strategy

The Partnership developed an ambitious strategy for the town, following extensive public consultation.

> click here to view full executive summary

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	Objectives

1. Develop diverse employment.
2. Enhance town's appeal.
3. Enhance town centre.
4. Improve community facilities, access and social inclusion.
5. Provide affordable, environmentally friendly housing to first time buyers.
6. Engage the community

>click here to view full ATP Objectives

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	Key Projects

Ellon Business Initiative (EBI)
EBI continue to update the Business Register and act as the first point of contact for enquires about setting up/relocating to Ellon.

Ellon Traders Association
Ellon Traders Association has in excess of 30 members who have run a series of successful promotional events, including Christmas shopping nights and a Wedding Fair. Working with the Civic Pride Group they have helped fund flower baskets and also contributed to the new festive lights.

Civic Pride
The Civic Pride Group has been active in planting rose beds and installing planters at a number of locations in the town. The summer season is one of the busiest for the group with all baskets, tubs and beds requiring attention and entering 'Formartine in Bloom'.

Public Art
An important element has been to enhance the identity of Ellon through Public art. New art has been installed at the Riverside (near Glebe Park) and at the Bridge Street roundabout
Enhancing the Town Centre
Plans were drawn up for the improvement of Bridge Street through a traffic modeling survey for Ellon town centre. A number of options were explored including pedestrianisation or making the street one way (south to north. Consultation with the community will be an integral part of this process.

Ellon Landscape & Nature Framework
Work continued with groups in Ellon to produce a Management Plan for the Riverside and McDonald Woods with tangible results of work at the riverside such as vegetation clearing, new habitat creation and improved access.

Ellon Biodiversity Action Group (EBAG)
The work of EBAG is closely linked, but independent of, the Landscape & Nature Framework. EBAG is a voluntary organisation that considered the 'green spaces' in and around the town, conserving and where possible improving them. From the magic of the River Ythan to the beauty of the town's woodlands, there are many natural features that make Ellon a great place to live and visit. The rare otter that may be seen from the paths in the Riverside Park, to the red squirrel that visits people's gardens to feast on nuts and EBAG cares for it all.

Friends of McDonald Park
The Friends of McDonald Park have focused on policy issues and promoting the Group's aims and initiatives. On the practical side the Group, with the Council, arranged for benches to be replaced and to use funds from the Sievewright and McDonald Bequests to have the monuments cleaned and the lettering re-etched. The Friends also commissioned a report on the viability of re-instating the Trim Track as a wetland area.

Ellon Community Council
The Community Council have been involved in many projects including new Christmas lights. They also brought back the town crest and town flag with an official ceremony in 2000 and fought hard to save Auchtercrags which was developed into flats and now looks quite splendid. They look at many areas of development in the town and also comment on all relevant planning applications. Community Council members are involved with other agencies in trying to bring new commerce and business to Ellon.

INTERREG IIIc
Ellon participated in this project with twelve towns from Sweden. Poland and Greece along as well as Stonehaven and Inverurie. Ellon was "partnered" with the towns of PUCK (P), KUNGALV (S) and AIGION (G) for some aspects because they all display some shared characteristics. The project lasted for 30 months until mid-2007 and was about sharing and learning from experiences elsewhere through bringing together community representatives from the partner towns. These groups were a cross section of the community and included a young person.

The broad themes of the project fitted well with the issues in Ellon and gave the opportunity to link current activities into this broader framework:

• Developing Whole Town Strategy
• Long Term Planning
• Partnership and Town Management
• Engagement/ Dialogue/ Youth
• Planning/ Conservation/ Heritage – Identity
• Community Integration "Sense of Belonging" (future development)
• Tourism and Town Identity
• Marketing and Promotion (linked into tourism and town identity)

Key Projects 2001-2002 (pdf)

Key Projects 2002-2003 (pdf)

Key Projects 2003-2004 (pdf)

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	Contacts

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	Latest Info

The Ellon Tourism Group continues to flourish and recently published an updated leaflet that proving to be very popular.

http://www.visitellon.co.uk/communitynews.html
 

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