Alford
Alford is a huge town in Aberdeenshire, north-east Scotland, existing just southern of the River Don. It exists within the Howe of Alford (also called the Vale of Alford) which inhabits the middle reaches of the River Don. The place-name is believed to originate from the Scots auld ford; its initial position getting on the financial institutions of the Don. The "L" audio in the word has, over time, been dropped, and is silent. Alternatively, the name could be a tautology; a mix of ath and also ford, both suggesting 'ford' in Gaelic and also Scots specifically. Alford gave its name to a battle of the Battle of Alford (1645 ). It is also the house of the Aberdeen Angus livestock breed, which is commemorated by a life-sized model of a bull on the edge of the village, which the Queen Mother inaugurated in 2001. It is believed that the original breeding ground of the cattle was Buffal, situated in between Challenging (Tulloch) as well as Craigievar nearby Alford. One more specialty for the community is Alford Oat meal, ground at Montgarrie, just outside the community. Alford additionally sports the Alford Neighborhood University, with a library and swimming pool. The Alford Valley Railway, Grampian Transport Museum, Alford Heritage Museum and also Craigievar Castle are prominent visitor destinations, with a range of various other archaeological sites, rock circles, as well as castles (consisting of Balfluig Castle, Castle Fraser and Drum Castle) being within easy reach by roadway. One stone circle, originally believed to be prehistoric, ended up being a 20-year-old replica. Positioned in Alford, Haughton Country Park is a huge as well as prominent environment-friendly room with a caravan park and also timberland strolls. The 18 opening Alford Golf Club is an eye-catching and also enjoyable course which has a big local membership.