Coordinates: 57°14′N 2°43′W / 57.23°N 2.71°W
| Alford | |
  Alford
Alford shown within Scotland |
|
| Population | 1,925 [1] (2001 census) est. 2,050[2] (2006) |
|---|---|
| OS grid reference | |
| Council area | Aberdeenshire |
| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Police | Grampian |
| Fire | Grampian |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| EU Parliament | Scotland |
| List of places: UK • Scotland • | |
Alford (pronounced "aaford") is a large village in Aberdeenshire, north-east Scotland, lying just south of the River Don. It lies within the Howe of Alford (also called the Vale of Alford) which occupies the middle reaches of the River Don.
The place-name is thought to come from the Scots "auld ford"; its original position being on the banks of the Don. The "L" sound in the word has, over time, been dropped, and is silent. Alford gave its name to a battle of the Battle of Alford (1645). It is also the home of the world popular Aberdeen Angus cattle breed, which is celebrated by a life-sized iron model of a bull on the edge of the town. Another claim to fame for Alford is the world famous Alford Oatmeal, ground at Montgarrie, just outside the town.
Probably due to Alford's relative isolation and large catchment area, there are a large number of services in the village, including three banks, a supermarket, three garages, a bakery and a wide range of other shops. There is also a dry ski slope (one of only a handful in Scotland), a swimming pool and a public library.
The Vale of Alford Railway, Grampian Transport Museum, Alford Heritage Centre and Craigievar Castle are popular visitor attractions, with a range of other archaeological sites, stone circles, and castles (including Castle Fraser and Drum Castle) being within easy reach by road. Situated in Alford, Haughton Country Park is a large and popular green space with a caravan park and woodland walks. The 18 hole Alford Golf Club is an attractive and pleasant course which has a large local membership.
There is a bus service connecting with Aberdeen, approximately 25 miles away. There is much new housebuilding going on in Alford as of 2006[update] to cater for a workforce who mainly commute in Aberdeen to work in the oil industry.[citation needed]
Notable residents
- Alford is the birthplace of the renowned poet, Charles Murray.
- Stewart Milne, chairman of both the Stewart Milne Group and Aberdeen Football Club was born nearby and attended school in Alford
- Alford is also the birthplace of the person who played the most games for Glasgow Rangers, Douglas Herbert Gray, who played 948 games for the team.
- Lord Forbes, of Forbes Castle
References
- ^ "Comparative Population Profile: Alford Locality". Scotland's Census Results Online. 2001-04-29. http://www.scrol.gov.uk/scrol/browser/profile.jsp?profile=Population&mainArea=alford&mainLevel=Locality. Retrieved 2008-08-31.
- ^ http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/statistics/publications-and-data
External links
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