Alford is a large village in Aberdeenshire, north-east Scotland, lying just southern of the River Don. It exists within the Howe of Alford (likewise called the Vale of Alford) which occupies the middle reaches of the River Don. The place-name is thought to originate from the Scots auld ford; its original placement getting on the financial institutions of the Don. The "L" audio in words has, gradually, been gone down, and is silent. Conversely, the name could be a tautology; a mix of ath and also ford, both suggesting 'ford' in Gaelic as well as Scots respectively. Alford gave its name to a fight of the Battle of Alford (1645 ). It is also the home of the Aberdeen Angus livestock reproduce, which is commemorated by a life-sized version of a bull on the edge of the town, which the Queen Mother inaugurated in 2001. It is believed that the original breeding ground of the livestock was Buffal, located between Hard (Tulloch) as well as Craigievar nearby Alford. One more claim to fame for the town is Alford Oat meal, ground at Montgarrie, just outside the town. Alford likewise sporting activities the Alford Neighborhood School, with a library as well as pool. The Alford Valley Railway, Grampian Transport Museum, Alford Heritage Museum as well as Craigievar Castle are preferred visitor tourist attractions, with a range of other archaeological sites, rock circles, and also castles (including Balfluig Castle, Castle Fraser and also Drum Castle) being within very easy reach by road. One rock circle, initially thought to be primitive, became a 20-year-old replica. Located in Alford, Haughton Country Park is a huge as well as preferred green area with a caravan park and also woodland strolls. The 18 hole Alford Golf Club is an appealing and also positive program which has a big neighborhood subscription.
