Alford is a huge village in Aberdeenshire, north-east Scotland, lying simply southern of the River Don. It exists within the Howe of Alford (likewise called the Vale of Alford) which occupies the middle reaches of the River Don. The place-name is thought to originate from the Scots auld ford; its original setting getting on the banks of the Don. The "L" noise in words has, in time, been dropped, as well as is silent. Conversely, the name could be a tautology; a mix of ath as well as ford, both indicating 'ford' in Gaelic as well as Scots specifically. Alford provided its name to a fight of the Battle of Alford (1645 ). It is additionally the house of the Aberdeen Angus cattle breed, which is celebrated by a life-sized design of a bull on the edge of the village, which the Queen Mother inaugurated in 2001. It is thought that the original breeding place of the livestock was Buffal, located in between Challenging (Tulloch) and Craigievar close-by Alford. An additional claim to fame for the town is Alford Oatmeal, ground at Montgarrie, just outside the town. Alford also sporting activities the Alford Community Campus, with a collection as well as swimming pool. The Alford Valley Railway, Grampian Transport Museum, Alford Heritage Museum as well as Craigievar Castle are prominent site visitor attractions, with a variety of various other archaeological sites, rock circles, as well as castles (including Balfluig Castle, Castle Fraser and also Drum Castle) being within easy reach by road. One rock circle, initially thought to be prehistoric, turned out to be a 20-year-old replica. Positioned in Alford, Haughton Country Park is a huge and prominent environment-friendly area with a caravan park and also timberland strolls. The 18 opening Alford Golf Club is an eye-catching as well as pleasant course which has a big neighborhood subscription.