Ellon is a town in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It is around 16 miles (26 kilometres) north of Aberdeen, lying on the River Ythan, which has some of the couple of undeveloped river estuaries on the eastern coast of Scotland. It is in the ancient region of Formartine. Its name is strongly believed to come from the Gaelic word Eilean, an island, on account of the presence of an island in the River Ythan, which supplied a helpful fording point. According to population estimations from 2006, the town has a permanent resident population of around 9860 people. Ellon has gained from the North Sea oil demand, and is among the principal dormitory towns for Aberdeen. Regular and frequent bus services connect 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 belongs to the proposed Energetica corridor of development. The population is broadening as young families seek to get out of Aberdeen and relocate to surrounding towns like Ellon, Inverurie and Banchory. Through 2006, Ellon ranked as the town with the 4th most rapidly increasing average house prices in Scotland. Places of interest within the town feature the ruins of Ellon Castle, surrounded by walls known 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 provides paths by the side of the Ythan, from which herons, salmon, trout and otters may be observed. The Meadows sports centre has several sporting facilities and clubs, including football and rugby pitches, an astroturf pitch for hockey, a gym, and a multi-use sports hall. For all your home renovations, make certain to find respected professionals in Ellon to make certain of quality.