Latest news with #Ellon
Press and Journal
5 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Press and Journal
For sale: 19th-century Aberdeenshire kirk converted into modern family home
A stunning 19th century Aberdeenshire church is seeking a new owner – and it has already been transformed into a modern family home. Kirkhill House sits on the outskirts of the village of Methlick and dates back to 1847 and is listed with Galbraith for £520,000. In 1995, its owners took on a massive restoration of the building, transforming it into into a characterful house fit for a family. It takes advantage of the large windows and countryside views by having the main living areas on the first floor. And it packs in a number of treats, including a striking master bedroom complete with en suite sauna. Many of the church features remain, including the ornate Canadian wood panelled ceilings and its arched windows. Entering via the covered vestibule, you have a study to your right and a double bedroom to your left. You then head down a set of steps to the ground floor area, which has two double bedrooms, a family bathroom and a utility room. Also on this floor is the master bedroom, a spacious room with plenty of storage and an en suite bathroom with built-in sauna. There are also multiple staircases that go up to the main living area on the first floor. On this floor, there is another double bedroom with an ensuite and closet space, as well as a separate bathroom and a cosy snug. The lounge is a huge space with plenty of room as well as characterful features, such as the wood panelled ceiling, wood burning fireplace and arched windows. Next door is the sitting room and off that is the kitchen/dining room, which has a range of wooden cabinets, modern appliances and a five-ring stove. The kitchen benefits from a lot of light from the circular window – a feature from its days as a church. The garden wraps around the church with lawns, shrubs and trees and a driveway. There is also a fully enclosed courtyard at the rear of the property. A wooded area borders the church. The gated driveway can accommodate several vehicles, leading up to a double garage. Kirkhill House is located close to amenities in Methlick, while Ellon is 10 miles away and Aberdeen is 24 miles away.
Press and Journal
25-05-2025
- Press and Journal
I tracked down the Ellon hippo - but I've yet to solve the mystery of its origins
Bonnie Aberdeenshire is full of surprises. I discovered yet another one of them this week – the so-called 'Ellon hippo'. I'd been scrolling on my phone when I'd come across a chat on social media about this fabled beast and was determined to find it for myself. The comments I'd read were intriguing – especially those that claimed the hippo was one of the iconic sculptures created by artist Stanley Bonnar in the 1970s to dot throughout the Fife town of Glenrothes. Whatever the truth, I was keen to track down the Ellon version for myself. There are various ways of reaching it, but as the sun was shining, I decided to turn the hunt into a nice wee walk with my year-old Labrador puppy, Dante. Parking by Auchmacoy Mission Hall, we marched down a grassy lane towards the River Ythan. It's a quiet corner of the world – a beautiful, tranquil place, away from traffic, and the perfect spot to spy all sorts of birdlife. Keen to get Dante in for a cooling swim, I headed to the water's edge. Not a good idea. His legs were covered in stinking mud before he'd got near the river, and he looked up at me with disdain. Instead, we shimmied up onto the bridge over the Ythan – the Logie Buchan war memorial bridge. Built in 1935, there are bronze plaques set into either side of the parapet that commemorate locals who lost their lives during the First and Second World Wars. I find it fascinating that before the bridge was constructed, a ferry took people across the river. The remains of the old jetties and pilings can still be seen, and a cottage on the east bank is the former ferryman's house. The views up and down the water are stunning, and the chances are you'll spot a decent amount of birdlife. I saw swans and ducks. Once across the bridge, we came to the small parish church of Logie Buchan and its atmospheric graveyard. This, too, is in a glorious setting, in gently rolling countryside, with fields, lush grazing, trees, and wonderful views across the estuary. Passing through the tiny hamlet of Kirkton of Logie Buchan, I didn't spot a soul, which was a shame as I had hoped to ask someone if they knew the exact whereabouts of the hippo. The road straight ahead, flanked by old drystane dykes and with the gorse in full bloom, appealed, and so I decided to see where it led me. After about half a mile, when the road started to head uphill, I began to doubt myself. It's just as well I carried on, because right at the top of that hill, in a gated woodland enclosure, was the Ellon hippo! I felt as though I'd found the Holy Grail, such was my joy. But I can see how so many people have failed to spot the hippo over the years. A friend told me he had cycled past it for at least a decade – but only set eyes on the beast last year after someone told him of its existence. But the thing is, nobody I've spoken to thus far seems to have an answer as to how the hippo came to be here. One thing I know for sure – after doing a bit of detective work – is that he is not one of Stanley Bonnar's creations. I sent the artist, now 77, an email, and he confirmed that the hippo has nothing to do with him. However, Stanley revealed he was once asked by Kirkcaldy-born sculptor Denis Barnes to 'join him and make more hippos'. Denis, who had installed public artworks in Livingston in the 70s, had set up a 'commercial company' by the time he asked that of Stanley. 'I didn't feel that was my direction, so turned them down,' said Stanley. 'So they made a copy. This may be one of those.' Of course, my next step was to try to contact Denis. As yet, I've had no luck – and so the mystery of the Ellon hippo's origins remains a mystery. If any readers know more than me, please feel free to get in touch. Also on the Logie estate, waiting to be discovered, is an elusive, little-known, but fairly big, 'pyramid'. I'd been told this was near the entrance to Ladymire Equestrian Centre, and drove there in my mission to find it. Alas, I didn't spot this at all. Maybe another time. Since my afternoon spent hunting down strange sculptures, I've been told by a contact that the pyramid was commissioned by a local property entrepreneur as a 'millennium project'. Bizarrely, it's split in two halves. One half is said to represent the old century, and the other represents the new. It's fascinating stuff. There's so much to discover in this wee corner of Aberdeenshire. And you're never too far from Ellon should you need to hunt down coffee and cake after all that exploring.
Press and Journal
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Press and Journal
Ethan Walker: Goals have changed for injured Ellon footballer
An Ellon teen who suffered severe injuries while on a football scholarship in the USA has spoken about how his life has changed. Ethan Walker was walking back to his accommodation in New York in 2023 when he was involved in a car crash. The talented footballer suffered two brain injuries, a fractured skull, a lacerated lung and fractures of his pelvis, left hand, shoulder and right tibia. There were also facial lacerations, nerve damage and ligament damage to his right knee. As part of his recovery, his surgeon came up with the suggestion – which initially felt somewhat outlandish – that he cycle to Munich for Scotland's opening game at Euro 2024. That became a reality and the story of Ethan's journey has since been showcased in the documentary Make it to Munich. Almost a year on from the journey, Ethan is still adjusting to some of the changes forced upon him by the accident. For the now 19-year-old, one of the biggest things he has had to come to terms with is that he won't be able to play football anymore. That has forced him to shift his goals – and he is now putting all of his enthusiasm and effort into studying sports coaching and working as a lifeguard. 'When I went over to America, I wanted to pursue football to the highest level that I could,' he told The Press and Journal. 'In all honesty, I knew there was a chance after the first surgery that football may not be realistic for me. 'Now I want to focus on coaching and be as successful as possible in the game that I love.' Before the accident, he had been thoroughly enjoying both studying and getting the chance to play with some top-quality players. One way that Ethan has managed to fill the void left by not being able to play is by coaching. He has also returned to Longside FC, the team he played for before making the move stateside. Ethan is not allowed to be tackled or head the ball, but can still take a minor role in training. 'The training games are still manageable for me,' he said. 'I just drop in to central midfield and play passes from there. 'Even now I can still hit an amazing free kick and ping balls about! 'I suppose I'm a bit of a dead ball specialist, which is changed days from my time as a central defender. 'I'm loving coaching and it's been a successful first season for me, as we won promotion.' Ethan is also making the right moves in his education He is currently studying sports coaching at Nescol. 'Ultimately, I want to end up with a degree in coaching,' he said. 'I want to take this as far as I can. 'Whether that's getting to the highest level I can in football, or maybe PE teaching, I'm always looking to push myself.' Despite the severity of his injuries, the teenager's life has returned to normality. He's back working, studying and working out in the gym. Ethan is full of praise for his family and loved ones, who have been 'a massive help throughout all of this'. He lives in Auchangatt with his mum Jaclyn, dad Paul, and sister Sienna. He said: 'I'm not sure I would be in the same position just now without them 'They've been really good to me. 'Thankfully everything has largely stayed the same. 'I'm working, studying, and in the gym. 'My goals may have shifted but I still feel as motivated as ever.' It was quite a journey that took Ethan and his team to the Allianz Arena in Munich. The teenager was joined by director Martyn Robertson, his surgeon Gordon Mackay, and Tartan Army member Stephen Collier. Make it to Munich will be showcased at several premieres in the north of Scotland. And some Scottish sporting greats will be in attendance at the events. Dates and special guests include: Ethan is looking forward to the events. 'I'm an Aberdeen fan, so it'll be really cool to see Andy Considine,' he said. 'But I can't wait to share the stage with them all. 'The Ellon one will be massive, as I'll have all my friends and family there.' Ethan added: 'I knew the documentary would be good. 'But I didn't realise it would be quite as good as this. 'It's really interesting to experience the filming of everything and then seeing the final product. 'I couldn't be happier with how it turned out. Despite Scotland losing 5-1 on the day, Ethan had a great time in Munich. He said: 'Obviously the football wasn't a great result, but the response from the fans to me at Marienplatz and the general atmosphere on the day was unbelievable.' Make it to Munich will be shown at select cinemas around Scotland and England.
Press and Journal
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Press and Journal
Ellon dad-of-two to make appearance on STV's The 1% Club quiz show
An Ellon man is to test his problem solving skills when he appears on STV quiz show The 1% Club. Fans of the logic-based question programme will be able to see local quizmaster Graeme Clark, 52, put through his paces on Saturday's episode. Dad of two Graeme is a well-known face around the Aberdeen pub quiz scene, after founding his own business which organises trivia games around the Granite City. He started out as a city DJ, before setting up Exclusive Quizzes a number of years ago. Now, Graeme is set to be on the other side of the quizmaster's desk in an episode of The 1% Club, which airs at 9.05pm on Saturday. Speaking to The Press and Journal, he said that he was inspired to go on the show after playing along from home with his son. Graeme said: 'I'm always keeping my eyes open on social media for these types of opportunities, so when this came up I just went for it. 'I run a business and we organise pub quizzes – I've done that for 20 years or so now. 'My son is absolutely brilliant on this show. He has the app downloaded on his phone. 'I got it into it so we could play together and that's what inspired me to apply.' Graeme also revealed what it was like to step into the bright lights of a national TV quiz show after his visit to Salford for filming. 'It feels completely different in the studio from watching at home,' he said. 'The questions just come at you really quickly. 'Just 30 seconds to answer a really tricky one is really not a lot of time at all.' He added: 'They start with a bit of a warm up act to get you energised for the show, and they throw some warm-up questions at you. 'Then Lee Mack comes on, and the questions just come at you really quite suddenly. 'I didn't go out on the first question, but I almost did! 'It was a really great experience overall though.' Graeme wouldn't give anything away regarding the results of the TV quiz. So to find out how he got on, fans of The 1% Club can tune in on STV or STVPlayer from 9.05pm.
