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Once the capital of the
prehistoric Pictish province of Buchan, Ellon (or
‘island’) sits at a vital crossing point on the
River Ythan. In the Middle Ages the Celtic
Mormaers and later the Norman Earls of Buchan
dispensed justice at the Moot Hill. Ellon was one
of the places burned in the harrying of Buchan in
1308, following Robert the Bruce's defeat of the
Comyns near Oldmeldrum.
The ruins of Ellon Castle
stand on what was previously an ancient fort. The
‘Old Bridge’, built in 1793, is still open to
pedestrians.
Haddo House is a mansion built
by William Adam in 1732 for the 2nd Earl of
Aberdeen. A local park has a footpath running
beside the river for the length of the town. At
one time locals found pearl mussels in the waters
and - presented to King James VI – is part of the
Scottish Crown.
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