ALFORD, ABERDEENSHIRE

'Alford' (Scottish Gaelic: 'Athfort') is a large village in Aberdeenshire, north-east Scotland. It has with a population of just over 2,000. It is just south of the River Don.
Alford gave its name to a battle of the Civil War, and lies within the Howe of Alford. It is also the home of the world popular Aberdeeen Angus cattle breed, which is celebrated by a life-sized iron model of a bull on the edge of the town.
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.
A small castle can be found at Kingsford about half a mile from the village. This castle used to be bigger but was mostly destroyed in a fire. A small farmhouse is nearby and the farm buildings have been recently refurbished into homes. A ruin of a house lies farther up the lane.
There is much new housebuilding going on in Alford as of 2006 to cater for a workforce who mainly commute in Aberdeen to work in the oil industry.
Another claim to fame for Alford is the world famous Alford Oatmeal, ground at Montgarrie, just outside the town.

Contents

Notable residents

External links

Notable residents

Alford is the birthplace of the renowned poet, Charles Murray.
Alford is also famous as being the birthplace of the person who played the most games for Glasgow Rangers - Douglas Herbert Gray. Mr Gray played 948 games for Rangers.

External links

★ Oatmeal of Alford

★ Grampian Transport Museum

★ Cragievar Castle