Ardgrain

The road that leads to Ardgrain was once the main Aberdeen to Fraserburgh route, which passed through the market town of Ellon before winding its way northwards

The main Fraserburgh road would have been a prominent position to site a Baronial house like Ardgrain, commanding views down the hill towards Ellon and beyond. Centuries after Ardgrain was built, a new road was to Fraserburgh was constructed, a few miles away.  Read more » 

What makes a site a Barony, and why did this make Ardgrain so important?

An introduction to the mediaeval feudal system, where warrior nobility ruled Scotland.   Read more » 

Ancient texts taken from the Charter Chest at Drum, describing the Ardgrain lands in 1422

Taken from Antiquities of the Shires of Aberdeen and Banff (Vol III) 1857 - Page 31.  Read more » 

Barn Owls at Ardgrain

Ardgrain is home to a colony of Barn Owls, which live at the adjacent barns and nearby farms. A dedicated Barn Owl box has been fitted high up in the tall Dutch barn, on-site at Ardgrain, providing the Barn Owls with a permanent home. Our resident Barn Owls at Ardgrain often trip the outside security lights in the evenings, alerting us to their presence as they head out hunting once twilight falls.  Read more » 

As one of only three Ellon buildings worthy of mention, the Bleau Atlas highlights the importance of Ardgrain in the 1600's

 "...on the other bank is the parochial village of Ellon, close to which are Abbotshall, Ardgrain, and Auchterellon, castles or houses of the Forbeses, the Kennedies and the Udnies respectively..."  Read more » 

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. 

An brief tour through Ardgrains past, which spans nearly 600 years

Ardgrain Barony

Nether Ardgrain, or Ardgrain as it was originally known, has had tenants on this site from the late middle ages onwards, and historical records suggest a tenancy at Ardgrain as early as 1422.

Erected to Royal Charter in 1528 with the Crown as superior, the main house at Ardgrain is sited on top of a much earlier structure built by the Innes family.  Read more » 

Ancient texts describing the lands of Ardgrain in 1495

Taken from Antiquities of the Shires of Aberdeen and Banff (Vol III) 1857 - Page 32.  Read more » 

Text abridged from Libri Actorum Curiae Vicecomitatus de Aberdeen MS.

Taken from Antiquities of the Shires of Aberdeen and Banff (Vol III) 1857 - Page 37.  Read more » 

From its earliest Celtic origins, the name Ardgrain has slowly evolved over time while remaining easily recognisable and totally unique

Celtic Origins

The name Ardgrain has gradually evolved and changed in spelling over the past centuries. With few people able to write, many references to Ardgrain were transcribed from word of mouth, and local accents and changing dialects have played a part in the various spellings.  Read more » 

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 » 

Ancient texts taken from the Charter Chest at Ellon describing the Ardgrain lands in 1534

Taken from Antiquities of the Shires of Aberdeen and Banff (Vol III) 1857 - Page 33.  Read more » 

Discover why a quote from the Roman poet and author, Virgil, was carved above the Ardgrain doors

The Virgil Quote

Carved into a weathered stone, directly above the main double doors at Ardgrain, is a quotation taken from the classical Roman poet and author, Virgil.  Read more »