Ellon is a town in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It is approximately 16 miles (26 km) north of Aberdeen, lying on the River Ythan, which has some of the handful of undeveloped river estuaries on the eastern coast of Scotland. It is in the ancient area of Formartine. Its name is thought to come from the Gaelic term Eilean, an island, on account of the presence of an island in the River Ythan, which offered a hassle-free fording point. In accordance with population estimates from 2006, the town has a permanent resident population of around 9860 people. Ellon has benefited from the North Sea oil demand, and is one of the primary dormitory towns for Aberdeen. Routine and frequent bus services link Ellon with Aberdeen, Inverurie, Peterhead, Fraserburgh and surrounding towns and villages, serving both the town centre and the large Park and Ride facility at the eastern edge of the town. Ellon is part of the proposed Energetica corridor of development. The population is developing as young families seek to leave Aberdeen and relocate to surrounding towns like Ellon, Inverurie and Banchory. Throughout 2006, Ellon ranked as the town with the 4th most quickly increasing average house prices in Scotland. Places of interest within the town feature the ruins of Ellon Castle, surrounded by walls referred to as the Deer Dyke, and the Auld Brig, a category A listed bridge over the Ythan, constructed in 1793 and still in use as a pedestrian bridge. The Riverside Park offers walkways alongside the Ythan, from which herons, salmon, trout and otters can be observed. The Meadows sports centre has many sporting facilities and clubs, including football and rugby pitches, an astroturf pitch for hockey, a fitness center, and a multi-use sports hall. For all your home makeovers, make certain to find respected professionals in Ellon to make certain of quality.