Alford is a big town in Aberdeenshire, north-east Scotland, lying just southern of the River Don. It exists within the Howe of Alford (additionally called the Vale of Alford) which inhabits the middle reaches of the River Don. The place-name is thought to originate from the Scots auld ford; its original position being on the financial institutions of the Don. The "L" sound in the word has, over time, been gone down, as well as is silent. Additionally, the name could be a tautology; a mix of ath and ford, both meaning 'ford' in Gaelic and Scots respectively. Alford provided its name to a battle of the Battle of Alford (1645 ). It is additionally the residence of the Aberdeen Angus cattle breed, which is celebrated by a life-sized version of a bull on the edge of the village, which the Queen Mother inaugurated in 2001. It is believed that the original breeding place of the livestock was Buffal, located between Difficult (Tulloch) and also Craigievar neighboring Alford. An additional claim to fame for the town is Alford Oat meal, ground at Montgarrie, just outside the town. Alford also sports the Alford Area School, with a library and swimming pool. The Alford Valley Railway, Grampian Transport Museum, Alford Heritage Museum and Craigievar Castle are prominent site visitor destinations, with a series of other archaeological sites, stone circles, as well as castles (including Balfluig Castle, Castle Fraser and Drum Castle) being within easy reach by roadway. One rock circle, initially thought to be prehistoric, turned out to be a 20-year-old reproduction. Positioned in Alford, Haughton Country Park is a big and preferred environment-friendly area with a campers park and also woodland walks. The 18 opening Alford Golf Club is an appealing and positive course which has a huge local subscription.