Alford, Aberdeenshire

infobox UK place
country = Scotland
latitude= 57.23
longitude=-02.71
official_name =Alford
population= 1,925 [cite web|publisher=Scotland's Census Results Online|title =Comparative Population Profile: Alford Locality | url=http://www.scrol.gov.uk/scrol/browser/profile.jsp?profile=Population&mainArea=alford&mainLevel=Locality | date = 2001-04-29| accessdate =2008-08-31 ] (2001 census)
est. 2,050 [http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/statistics/publications-and-data] (2006)
unitary_scotland= Aberdeenshire
constituency_westminster=
post_town=
postcode_district =
postcode_area=
dial_code=
os_grid_reference= NJ5716

Alford (pronounced "aaford") is a large village in Aberdeenshire, north-east Scotland, lying just south 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 Civil War (1645), and lies within the Howe of Alford. 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.

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, two bakeries 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 to cater for a workforce who mainly commute in Aberdeen to work in the oil industry.Fact|date=December 2007

Another claim to fame for Alford is the world famous Alford Oatmeal, ground at Montgarrie, just outside the town.

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.

References

External links

* [http://www.alfordtaxis.com/ A&M Alford Taxis
* [http://www.oatmealofalford.com/ Oatmeal of Alford]
* [http://www.gtm.org.uk/ Grampian Transport Museum]
* [http://www.nts.org.uk/web/site/home/visit/places/Property.asp?PropID=10081&NavPage=10081&NavId=5108 Cragievar Castle]