Leask House (also known as Pitlurg) was built in 1826 by Archibald Simpson for the Gordon family, and destroyed by fire in 1927. It lay in ruins until the present owners began its restoration in 1989.

The old castle at Ellon had origins as far back as the 1400s and was deliberately blown up to create a romantic ruin in 1851. The gardens, once some of the finest in Scotland, fell into neglect but are now being steadily restored under the auspices of a trust.