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Town and Burgh of Ellon, the ancient capital of Buchan, the name derived from the Gaelic 'eileann', meaning an island. Ellon was created a burgh of barony in the 13th century, and was a seat of justice for Comyn earldom of Buchan. The Comyns built a timber castle on a motte (destroyed by the construction of the turnpike in 1799), the site marked by a plaque above the river. The town was burned and appears to have been totally destroyed during Robert the Bruce's 'heirschip' or harrying of Buchan in 1308. A new castle was built in the 14th century (NJ93SE0001). The medieval kirk was gifted by David I to Kinloss Abbey, Moray, whence the confusing name Kinloss-Ellon. Although at key crossing-point of Ythan, just above its tidal limit, its 19th-century development was constrained by landowner Alexander Gordon's refusal to let off reasonable feus. However, by the 1850s Ellon had grown into a town with five churches, three inns, three banks and a post office with numerous shops and a fortnightly market. The railway arrived in 1861. Now transformed by enveloping housing, which began in the mid- 1970s.
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Historic Environment Records (HER)