Discover Ardgrain

Nestled just above the town of Ellon lies the ancient site of Ardgrain, which has had tenants from 1422 onwards, and was once the seat of the Baron of Ardgrain. Built in its current form in 1629, and then extended in the 1700's, this Grade A listed house is thought to be the oldest of its kind in the North East of Scotland.

"How happy would the husbandman be if he knew his own good. Let improvements and liberty flourish".

- quote from Virgil, and house motto, above the main entrance.

Ardgrain

John Forbes Ratification (1669)

Ratification in favours of Sir Johne Forbes of Watertoun

Our soverane lord, with advice and consent of his majesties' estates of parliament, hes ratified and approven and, be thir presents, ratifies and approves ane charter and infeftment, granted be his majestie under the great seale, of the date the fourt day of August 1669 yeers, to Sir Johne Forbes of Watertoun, his airs maill and assignays whatsomever, heretablie and irredeimably, off all and haill the lands of Ardgrein and Broomefeild, with multers, sequells, houses, bigings, yeards, tofts, crofts, outsets, tennents, te Read more »

Ardgrain History

The Slaughter of Watertown

Not long after constructing Ardgrain, the Kennedies became embroiled in a bitter land dispute, which later became locally known as the slaughter of Watertown.

Clan Rivalry

Thomas Forbes, whose stately mansion with courtyards and stables was built beside the Ythan river to the east of Ellon, was in his middle years, with nine sons and daughters. John Kennedy, the hereditary constable of Aberdeen (this title tied to the Ardgrain site some years earlier) was the latest of a long line of Kennedies of Ellon. Read more »