Ellon is a town in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It is around 16 miles (26 kilometres) north of Aberdeen, lying on the River Ythan, which has one of the few undeveloped river estuaries on the eastern coast of Scotland. It is in the ancient area of Formartine. Its name is believed to derive from the Gaelic word Eilean, an island, on account of the existence of an island in the River Ythan, which supplied 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 major dormitory towns for Aberdeen. Routine 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 becomes part of the proposed Energetica corridor of development. The population is expanding as young families seek to get away from Aberdeen and move to neighboring towns like Ellon, Inverurie and Banchory. Through 2006, Ellon ranked as the town with the 4th most quickly increasing average house prices in Scotland. Places of interest within the town include the ruins of Ellon Castle, surrounded by walls referred to as the Deer Dyke, and the Auld Brig, a category A listed bridge across the Ythan, built in 1793 and still in use as a pedestrian bridge. The Riverside Park provides paths beside the Ythan, from which herons, salmon, trout and otters can be observed. The Meadows sports centre has various sporting facilities and clubs, featuring football and rugby pitches, an astroturf pitch for hockey, a fitness center, and a multi-use sports hall. For all of your home developments, make certain to identify credible contractors in Ellon to make certain of quality.