Towards the end of 1998, members of the Aboyne Highland Games started to give thought to how best acknowledge the Millennium. Various initiatives were proposed, but it was felt that something of an abiding nature was required to commemorate the existence of the Aboyne Highland Games, which, after all, had been taking place on the Green since 1867. After the annual turmoil of activity before and during the Games, all traces of their occurrence would vanish, and nothing remained to enlighten the casual visitor that this was the venue for the Aboyne Highland Games. Members felt that this should take the form of something useful and not simply a pointless monument. As it is the custom for the various pipe bands attending the Games to march on to the Green from the Station Square, the idea of installing permanent gates at the Fountain was mooted.

It was felt that the Gates would form a suitable complement to the existing fountain and create a formal entrance to the Green. The pillars are modelled on the tops of the gate pillars at the Parish Church across the Green, the more “cylindrical” form of the Fountain was also incorporated by making the top more circular in plan to reflect that influence, thus affecting a degree of compatibility. The work was carried out by local tradesmen who are themselves commemorated on a plaque on one of the pillars and the Gates were officially opened by Their Royal Highnesses, The Earl and Countess of Wessex in 2001.