Ellon: River Routes, Garden Design and Brewing Culture

Ellon combines paths along the River Ythan with historic gardens, regional brewing culture and unusual connections to art. If you are looking for a holiday apartment or holiday cottage for your trip, you can therefore choose the location based on your preferred daily experiences: active routes, historical discoveries and culinary offerings provide distinct focal points side by side.

Exploring the River Ythan

For cyclists, there is a 2.8-mile route that begins in Ellon town centre and heads west along a shared path beside the River Ythan. This provides a clear starting point for an active exploration of the town. The River Ythan also features on the Ellon Circular Walk: this circular route begins at the river and takes in Ellon's key historical and natural attractions.

Another option is the Formartine and Buchan Way. Between Udny Station and Ellon, it covers a 5-mile section. When planning your accommodation, you can consider which starting point is relevant to your preferred daily itinerary. This allows you to focus your trip on a cycle route, a circular walk or a longer section of the long-distance trail, without having to combine every activity into a single programme.

Art and History in the Townscape

The Formartine and Buchan Way also has a cultural dimension. Its art trail uses 11 Corten steel signs featuring lines from the Doric poem “Fit Wye”. This connection between the path and the regional language makes the route an opportunity to experience the landscape and local culture together.

Visitors interested in history will find a remarkably complete early-18th-century design at Ellon Castle Park. The park wall was largely rebuilt in the 1850s. Ellon Castle Gardens also contain the ruins of a 15th-century castle. The two locations offer different experiences: the park represents a preserved historic design, while the castle gardens showcase the ruins of an older building. For families, this combination of paths, parkland and history can create a varied day itinerary, allowing you to arrange the individual visits according to the interests of your group.

Brewing Culture as a Special Experience

Ellon is also associated with BrewDog's brewing culture. The Beer School at DogTap Ellon offers a guided beer tasting with five third-pints, served with a cheese board. Those interested in the brewing process can include the BrewDog Brewery Tour in their itinerary; it includes a beer museum. BrewDog also offers 1.5-hour brewery tours at its brewery in Aberdeenshire. These experiences give the trip a culinary and cultural focus that differs from the historic walks and riverside routes.

The Right Accommodation for Your Plans

When looking for a holiday apartment in Ellon, it is advisable to decide first on your preferred pace of travel. Those who want to focus on cycling and walking routes can use the starting points mentioned above as a guide when choosing a location. For a trip with a stronger cultural focus, Ellon Castle Park, Ellon Castle Gardens and the art trail take centre stage. Those seeking regional culinary experiences can add the Beer School or a brewery tour to their plans.

If you would like to compare other places in addition to Ellon, you can find more destinations here: Kemnay, Huntly, Whitehills, Rosehearty, Bridge Of Don, Milltimber, Pitmedden and Insch.

For the broader travel overview: Aberdeenshire.