An exploration of the main historical and wildlife features of Ellon.
Waymarked, flat route with riverside and park paths, roads to cross.
Bus to Ellon
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Riverside car park, Market Street, Ellon. Map and directions.
The walk starts alongside the River Ythan. There is a car park at the start point just off Market Street. Turn left as you face the river and follow the path. The Ythan is a renowned salmon river and also contributed a bright freshwater pearl to the Scottish Crown in the reign of King James VI. The town of Ellon grew up as a staging post on the Aberdeen to Peterhead route as the river was low enough to be forded here, before the bridge was built, so it became the favoured route.
After passing the houses and reaching the edge of an open space known as the Glebe Field turn left to follow the path up to Castle Road. Cross the main road and turn left along the pavement. The high wall is part of the Deer Dyke built in the mid-19th century as a make-work scheme to alleviate unemployment as well as to keep deer out. Soon the war memorial is reached, turn right up Schoolhill Road. First, you may want to detour alongside the estate agent's where there is an ancient coat of arms including boars' heads and crossed keys, carved high on the wall. Continue a short way up Schoolhill Road and turn right just past the telephone exchange to head towards the health centre.
Keep right to follow the path between the BT building and the health centre heading towards the wall of Ellon Castle - it is possible to see a little of the ruins above the more modern buildings. At the wall turn left and follow the path past an old ice house and across the car park for Ellon Academy to head up steps into the woods.
At the top of the steps take the smaller path on the left through the trees keeping an eye out for the markers. When the path heads downhill just after an old fence line turn right on a smaller path which stays higher in the woods. It eventually passes Carolines Well, named after Caroline Hamilton Gordon who lived at Ellon Castle in the beginning of the 20th century. The path soon descends to the left and reaches Golf Road at a small gate. Look for a similar gate on the other side slightly to the left. Cross the road and once through the gate climb up to the edge of the golf course.
Soon a signed path heads left into the woods, a good spot to see red squirrels as well as many small birds. Keep following the markers which bear right through the woods and then down some steps with a hand rail to reach Hospital Road. Cross the zebra crossing and turn left for a tiny distance before taking the path on the right which leads to the Formatine and Buchan Way. Turn left onto this cycle and walkway, part of the old railway line that links Aberdeen with Peterhead and Fraserburgh. When the route reaches the road the cycle route can be rejoined on the far side by heading slightly left and then right up a ramp, signed for Udny Station.
The elevated section of path soon reaches a viaduct, built in 1861 after the first one, which only lasted a year, fell down. Just before the viaduct take the signed path to the left down steps to the river. Turn left to follow the riverside path for 50 metres where you turn left (before reaching the red bridge) to pass a pond. Turn left before the street is reached and go straight ahead where another path crosses the bridge and follow the path to the left around Gordon Park - the energetic can try out the outdoor gym equipment! The path soon heads back along the river and returns to the start after passing under the old and new bridges.
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Walking can be dangerous and is done entirely at your own risk. Information is provided free of charge; it is each walkers' responsibility to check it and navigate using a map and compass.
