With the discovery of oil and Ellon firmly established itself as a very desirable place to live , the demand for housing was insatiable, there large growth in poulation put strains on the various organisations, services and facilities and took virtually the whole of the 1980's to alleviate During this period Meiklemill and Auchterellon primay schools were built, and the new Academy with its community centre and swimming pool added a much needed facility .The shops at Auchterellon were also completed during the eighties , the Eilean rise and Castle park development was begun and  completed. Further projects completed include the library, the modern Old Folk's home and housing at Park Road and the sheltered housing and local authority housing at Modley Court.

The Bridge Street shopping development is a much needed increase in shopping and business facilities. in addition the Industrial Estate on the East side of town is now well established with further developments at Home Farm Industrial Estate, Esslemont and in Hospital Road.

The establishment of an 18 hole Golf Course, Squash Club, and an excellent sports complex at the Meadows complements the established sports, traditional Ythan fishing, and many recreational clubs which provides Ellon with a broad diversity of leisure activities.

The health centre, built and extended in the past 20 years with its comprehensive medical and health care facilities provide an excellent service complimented by the recent addition of an Ambulance Station. Ellon used to be a small compact town. It is no longer small and the newer residential areas are obliged to move further and further from the town centre, but the shopping and business heart of the town remains surprisingly compact.

Within a 300 metre radius of the roundabout, which can be termed the hub of Ellon, you will not only find 95% of the retail shops, but you will also find 3 banks, 3 solicitors offices, 4 estate agents, 3 accountants, 2 insurance brokers, 2 architects, 2 "bookies 5 hairdressers, 3 churches and 3 hotels.

Within the same radius, there are 4 large public car parks, as well as numerous parking areas attached to business premises. Ellon does have it's share of yellow lines, but parking problems have eased, since the opening of the bypass and the lessening of heavy traffic through the town.

Ellon is the city dweller's dream - free parking with only a short walk to all the shops and amenities. You won't find any department store in El Ion. You'll hardly find a branch of a multiple store in Ellon. You won't find huge, impersonal and uninviting retail warehouses in Ellon.

You will, however, find just about everything you could expect to get from a department store, a multiple, or retail warehouse in one or other of the wealth of shops in Ellen. You will also find something which is difficult to find in a large City store - good service.

Service, of course, extends beyond the front shop. Deliveries, installations, fitting and after-sales are all carried out by people with a similar disposition to the sales assistants, friendly and helpful.

Labour charges are even better news with Ellon's rates for tradesmen and skilled workers slightly less than Aberdeen prices.

Over the last two decades, shopping in Ellon has changed dramatically. There are far more shops, they are much bigger, they are much much better and they are competitive both in price and selection.

This trend is continuing. More shops are coming: present shops are expanding. Selection and service, already excellent, will continue to improve.

Ellon Business and Traders' Association was formed in 1989 in order to further the interests of business people and traders in the Ellon area and to provide a forum for the same business people to decide on ways of helping and serving the Ellon Community. With 45 members, and still growing, it is a very fair representation of Ellon Business.

More information on shops, shopping, Ellon Business and Traders Association and special events organised by E.B.T.A. can be easily obtained by calling at any premises displaying the gold and black E.B.T.A. sticker.

To protect the natural beauty of Ellon, the Ythan Amenity Trust, a registered charity, was formed on 1st April 1980 when it was realised that the riverside, a salient and valuable asset to the town could be threatened by development Moreover there had been little progress in establishing the Ellon linear riverside parkland first proposed by Aberdeen County Council in 1972.

The Trust with a membership of over 130, relies entirely on volunteers to achieve the aims of the constitution which are:-

1. to preserve the amenity of the River Ythan

2. to create public footpaths along the banks of the river and to encourage the creation or preservation of features of natural or public interest.

3. to acquire or lease land along the banks for public recreation

4. to provide landscaped areas, seats, tables, litter bins, stiles, gates, etc.

The natural aspect of the river is extremely important and close liaison is maintained with the Nature Conservancy Council, the Countryside Commission, River Authorities and Gordon District Council to safeguard the interests of all concerned.

Throughout the country there are no doubt many small towns like Ellon, with similar population, character and facilities, but very few, if any, will have such a wonderful asset running like a silver artery right through it as the River Ythan.

Since its formation, land has been purchased and an attractive riverside park created at the Glebe, with an extensive shelter belt of native and specimen trees, paths, seats and shrubbery. The Trust finances and maintains this park for public enjoyment. for which it received a Shell Better Britain award.

In 1989 a planning application was approved for an ambitious scheme to complete a continuous riverside pathway from Castle Road to the railway embankment, to link up with the Gordon Walkway on the old railway line and new paths on the south side of the river. Improvement to the appearance of the islands and a path from the Glebe to the Meadows Sports Complex is now in progress.

This delightful feature has moulded Ellon, indeed provided a convenient crossing place, a ford, about which Ellon has grown. Ellon and its river are inseparable, the river even providing the town with its name by dint of the islands dotted about mid stream, but the same River provides a great deal more than a mere feature, it provides a wildlife habitat of great diversity where the truly natural co-exist with the obviously man-made. Within a stone's throw of the main road bridge otters may be seen swimming through the clear water or moving stealthily about the islands. Just a shout away from the busy supermarket car park, dippers can be observed flying fast and low over the stream or alighting on a stone before walking beneath the surface to feed. But all of this becomes a mere appetiser if one takes the trouble to follow the Ythan on its short journey to the sea, where the same dainty Ryor burgeons into a large estuary, populated by thousands of birds and a host of other wildlife.

The waters of the Ythan finally meet the cold North Sea at a place of unsurpassed beauty, a wild, windswept haven for an amazing variety of plants and animals, in the most natural surroundings anywhere on the coast of Britain, the National Nature Reserve at Forvie.

A short distance to the West of Ellon lies Haddo House one Of the North East of Scotland's most notable "Great Houses" which was acquired by the National Trust for Scotland in 1978. This House and Country Park offers a variety of attractions including a comprehensive programme of music, drama and the arts organised by the Arts Trust as well as being the home of the Haddo House Choral and Operatic Society. The Country Park offers the chance to see a rich variety of wildlife, including deer, squirrels and otters as well as a wide selection of bird life which can be seen as you walk round the woodlands, lochs and ponds.

A little to the South of Haddo can be found Pitmedden Garden which lies within 100 acres of beautiful woodland walks and accommodates some of the most elaborate floral designs to be seen in Scotland. A Visitor Centre, Herb Garden and Museum of Farming Life are among some of the other attractions the Estate has to offer. Aden Country Park is situated a few miles to the North of Ellon and boasts the beautifully reconstructed Home Farm and Coach House which form part of the North East of Scotland Agricultural Heritage Centre. Contained in these and many other elegant buildings are a Theatre, Wildlife Centre and Heritage Centre.

These, and many more, facilities stand in the midst of a 230 acre estate of walks meandering through exquisite woodland.

Ellon also lies at the heart of "Castle Country" and a short trip in almost any direction will bring you in touch with the architectural history and heritage of the North East, cared for lovingly by the National Trust for Scotland.

Testaments to the ancient gateway and capital of Buchan can still be seen in today's bustling modern town of Ellon.

Opposite the New Inn, at the East end of the Ythan car park can be found a cairn dedicated to the earliest known castle built in Ellon.

This castle was built in the typical Norman style which was introduced to Scotland in the 12th century by the Anglo Norman baronage and would have housed the Feudal Lord and his family. The stronghold consisted of a large earthwork mound or "Moot with a timber tower built on its plateau. The Tower was protected by a palisade at the top and by a large ditch encompassing the mound at the bottom. Access to the castle was by means of a drawbridge over the ditch and a long timber stairway leading up the steep slope.

Adjoining the "Moot" would have been a secondary courtyard similarly protected by a ditch and palisade in which was housed the chapel, byre stable and smithy. The "Moot Hill" as the earthwork mound became known was removed in the early part of the 19th century to make way for the Ellon to Peterhead turnpike.

On the South gable of what is now Raeburn Christie's office can be seen a

On the South gable of what is now Raeburn Christie's office can be seen a pediment, which at one time adorned the front of the "Old Tolbooth". The Tolbooth dating from 1737 originally stood in the Square and was constructed with double outside stone stairs, similar to the one still standing in Kintore. The building was used in part, as a school, prior to 1830, and as a jail as well as being the store for grain and other farm produce paid to the Laird as rent. The building was demolished in the early 1840's and this pediment, originally built into the front of the old tolbooth, bearing the coat of arms of the Kennedys, was transferred to its present location.

The old three arched stone and lime built bridge which stands to the East of the present road bridge, was completed in 1793 and was probably the most important factor in the growth of early Ellon.

In the mid 1800's there were four grocers, seven inns and three hotels in Ellon, all licensed to sell alcohol, and catering for a population of only seven to eight hundred people. The old bridge, however, was the only available way over the Ythan, and all road traffic passing into and out of Buchan had to cross it. This resulted in Ellon becoming a very important and busy centre of business ensuring a brisk trade for all the settlers.

The Old Bridge has now been made into a pedestrian amenity area and provides a very pleasant way of passing a summers evening.

On the ivy covered South face of the remaining wall of the Castle", which stands to the West of Ellon, can be seen an armorial stone displaying a shield with the official Coat of Arms of the Kennedies, namely a key and sword safter wise between four cross-crosslets. Above is an esquires Helmet and below, the inscription:

JO KENEDY CONSTABLE OF ABERDEEN ISOBEL CHEYNE HIS LADY 1653

This once impressive four story building boasting a tall slender tower on the

South East corner, dates back to the early 17th century, although some parts of

the basement may go back as far as the 15th century. Originally built by the

Kennedies it was considerably extended in the 18th century by the 3rd Earl of

Aberdeen.

With the exception of what remains standing today, the Castle was demolished in 1851 to make way for a driveway to the modern mansion.

The "MacDonald Park" was donated to Ellon by the late Sir James G. MacDonald K.B.E. who died when the ship he was a passenger on was torpedoed in December 1942.

The park extends over quite a large area and includes the beautiful second nine of the MacDonald Golf Course along with considerable woodland walks, a keep fit area and trim track.

Ellon Parish Church, which now belongs to the Church of Scotland, was originally dedicated to St. Mary. It was impropriated to Kinloss Abbey and was cared for by the Cistercians.

The original building was demolished in 1777 to allow the construction of the present church using the original stone, with part of the foundation of the South wall of the chance being the only remnant of the earlier structure.

The building that can be seen today has of course been added to, restored and refurbished on a number of occasions.

Elton's Episcopalian Church, "St. Mary's on the Rock" was created during the reformation and bears witness to the courageous struggle of the local people who were devoted to their faith.

This church has seen many changes and hardships in its formative years as the episcopalian church fought against destruction and persecution to establish their rights of worship.

The foundation of the existing building was started in 1870 some distance to the

South East of the previous Chapel, employing the designs of the architect

George Street R.A., and was consecrated on the 7th September 1875.

Ellon is fortunate in having a modern Academy and Community Education complex built in 1979 to meet the needs of a growing community. Within this building the educational aspirations of all age ranges can be met either through day-time or through the wide range of evening opportunities.

The facilities, although seen as an integrated provision can be subdivided under the following headings:

1.Full time day school

2.Community Education

3.Further Education

In the day school, pupils from first year to fourth year are given a broad and balanced education made up from the following elements:

A language, including a Modern language either French or German

Mathematical studies

A science

A social subject such as History, Geography or Modern Studies

A creative and aesthetic subject such as Art, Music and Drama

Physical, Religious and Moral Education

And an appreciation of Technology through computing, Technical or

Home Economics.

At the end of their fourth year, pupils will sit Standard Grade exams based on courses followed in years three and four.

For those who return to school after fourth year there is a good range of courses at levels to suit all abilities. These range from the SCOTVEC modular course, through Highers to Certificate of Sixth Year Studies. In many of these classes there is the opportunity for adults to study along with the older students.

Pupils have the opportunity to take part in Young Enterprise which teaches them about the Business world, to experience a Work placement, to have a mock interview and to attend careers conventions and talks. The school has close links with industry particularly with BP from whom considerable additional funding has been obtained.

Among the many extra-curricular activities available, young people may have the opportunity to join the debating society, the school orchestra, or any one of the many sports clubs which flourish within the school. At the end of each session many youngsters have the opportunity of educational visits in this country and abroad and exchanges with French and German schools have been arranged. In addition, all pupils take part in an "Education for Leisure week in which they may opt for a vast range of educational experiences from bird-watching to orienteering and Chinese cookery to visiting places of interest. For many young people opportunities experienced at this time have opened the doors for new hobbies and leisure pursuits.

Community Education provides a more informal approach to education and opens the door to those who might otherwise be intimidated by a formal school setting. Crèche facilities are provided within the building, to enable mothers of young children to attend classes during the day. These classes tend to be self financing in that the participants pay the tutor's fee.

Community Education caters also for a very active pre-school playgroup provision and for a number of activities for senior citizens. In the evenings and at weekends the total facility is managed by the Community Education service. Most popular amongst the facilities are the Games Hall and swimming pool both of which are used continuously. In addition, community education provides both a Senior and Junior Youth Club and the very popular "HAPI club in which both handicapped and able bodied people join in club activities.

Further Education classes are provided from August through to May in a range of vocational and non-vocational subjects. In this way, the community of Ellon has the opportunity to enhance education through the studying of "Highers", SCOTVEC mod ules or through classes which do not lead to a qualification.

Further information on all or any matters relating to education within the complex may be obtained from: 

The Rector
Ellon Academy
Schoolhill
Ellon. Tel. 20715

Auchterellon School which was built in 1974 is the neighborhood primary school for the several new housing estates, private and local authority, to the west and north west of the burgh of Ellon. Also included in the school zone are the Craigs Road/Commercial Road areas of "old Ellon" to the west of the railway line and the rural area to the north of the River Ythan (Ythanbank). With the exception of 30 or so pupils who travel to school by bus or car, most pupils are within 15 minutes walking distance.

The school has a complement of 17 teachers which includes the Assistant

Head Teacher (Mrs J. Marr), Depute Head Teacher (Mrs P. Thomson) and the

Head Teacher (Mr H. Johnston).

Visiting Teachers of Art, Music, Drama, PE and Home Economics serve the school as do Learning Support Staff.

Auchterellon School Board has been in operation now for almost a year. The school has an active Parents Teachers Association. The school is well resourced both in terms of people and equipment thanks in part to the P.T.A.

Extra Curricular Activities provided for pupils by staff include:

Netball, Volleyball, Football, Badminton and Short Tennis.

Community Activities associated with the school are:

Monday evening Boys club football and Adult badminton

Tuesday evening Boys club football

Wednesday evening Young Clubs and Boys Club

Thursday evening Adult badminton

Friday evening Boys Brigade

Auchierellon Nursery - which is part of the school, opened in September 1990. It has 80 places - mostly 3 sessions per child. Mrs Marr AHT is responsible for the day to day running of the Nursery.

The school endeavours to promote the education of all its pupils and aims to provide a secure and happy environment in which pupils and teachers can work together. Not only is Auchterellon an open plan school it is regarded as an open door school where parents and members of the community are welcome.

Ellon Primary School was the first custom-built Primary School to be opened in the town in 1962. ft is a pleasing, relatively modern building situated between Station Road and Gordon Park and presently houses nearly 300 pupils - who are drawn from all parts of Ellon and beyond. The designated catchment area for the school is actually "old Ellon, Castle Park and the hinterland on the north side of town, including the new housing developments which are now under way at Knockothie.

At present the school has a permanent staff of 14, plus a full range of visiting expressive arts specialists and learning support. It has recently given a home to the Primary section of the Ellon Academy Special Unit, so that the children of that unit are now part of a normal Primary School environment. This has obvious benefits for them but also for the mainstream pupils in furthering their tolerance and understanding of children who are less fortunate than themselves.

The school is not open-plan in layout but has traditional classrooms, within which, however, both in philosophy and in practice, the education which is offered is designed to challenge the child, develop his full potential both scholastically and socially and prepare him for a world in which the pace of change is ever increasing.

Further, more detailed information is available in the "Ellon Primary School Prospectus~.

Esslemont School is situated approximately 2½ miles from the centre of Ellon, on the Esslemont Estate. The school was built in 1881. In 1962 it was extended and modernised. It now has two classrooms with accommodation for a third classroom in the GP/Hall. With the expansion of Ellon and decrease in farming population, the school, at the moment, is a single teacher school with 16 pupils all in one classroom. The second classroom is used by visiting specialists and as a resource room. Money raised by the community was put into the extension of the school so the hall has a full size badminton court, a stage with lighting and a separate community kitchen. The hall is used each evening during the winter months for carpet bowling, football training, S.W.R.I. and P.T.A. activities such as a fortnightly whist. The Bo-Peep playgroup has the use of the hall on four mornings per week. School meals are prepared at Methlick School and served at Esslemont for which there is a school servery.

Outside the school is a grass play area with swings, see-saw, climbing frame and sandpit. Besides a tarmac area, marked out for netball, there is a small football pitch with goal posts. Last year each pupil planted a deciduous tree around the perimeter of the football pitch. The school is surrounded by farmland and nearby is a wood and the Bronie Burn.

By kind permission of Captain Wolrige Gordon, the school is able to make use of all the facilities on the estate for environmental studies. The school is well resourced mainly due to the fund raising done by the P.T.A. and donations from the community. Much use is made of the computers in the curriculum - BBC master and Concept Keyboard and Spectrum. The curriculum has to be broad and varied to encompass the wide age and ability range in a small school.