Alford
Alford is a big village in Aberdeenshire, north-east Scotland, lying just south of the River Don. It exists within the Howe of Alford (likewise called the Vale of Alford) which inhabits the center reaches of the River Don. The place-name is thought to originate from the Scots auld ford; its initial setting being on the financial institutions of the Don. The "L" audio in the word has, gradually, been gone down, and is silent. Conversely, the name could be a tautology; a mix of ath as well as ford, both indicating 'ford' in Gaelic and also Scots specifically. Alford offered its name to a fight of the Battle of Alford (1645 ). It is also the residence of the Aberdeen Angus cattle reproduce, which is commemorated by a life-sized model of a bull on the edge of the town, which the Queen Mother inaugurated in 2001. It is believed that the initial breeding ground of the cattle was Buffal, located in between Tough (Tulloch) as well as Craigievar nearby Alford. Another claim to fame for the town is Alford Oatmeal, ground at Montgarrie, simply outside the community. Alford also sports the Alford Area University, with a collection and pool. The Alford Valley Railway, Grampian Transport Museum, Alford Heritage Museum and also Craigievar Castle are popular site visitor attractions, with a series of various other historical sites, stone circles, and castles (including Balfluig Castle, Castle Fraser and Drum Castle) being within easy reach by roadway. One stone circle, initially thought to be prehistoric, ended up being a 20-year-old replica. Located in Alford, Haughton Country Park is a large and also prominent environment-friendly room with a caravan park as well as timberland walks. The 18 hole Alford Golf Club is an eye-catching as well as pleasant training course which has a big neighborhood membership.