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Alford, Aberdeenshire

Alford
Main Street, Alford - geograph.org.uk - 288309.jpg
Alford is located in Aberdeen
Alford
Alford
Alford shown within Aberdeenshire
Population

1,925  (2001 census)

est. 2,050 (2006)
OS grid reference NJ5716
Council area
Country Scotland
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Post town Alford
Postcode district AB33
Police Scottish
Fire Scottish
Ambulance Scottish
EU Parliament Scotland
UK Parliament
Scottish Parliament
List of places
UK
Scotland
Coordinates: 57°14′N 2°43′W / 57.23°N 02.71°W / 57.23; -02.71

1,925  (2001 census)

Alford (pronounced Listeni/ˈɑːfərd/  Scots: Aaford or Awfort, Scottish Gaelic: Athfort) is a large village in Aberdeenshire, north-east Scotland, lying just south of the River Don. It lies within the Howe of Alford (also called the Vale of Alford) which occupies the middle reaches 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. Alternatively, the name could be a tautology; a combination of 'Ath' and 'ford', both meaning 'ford' in Gaelic and Scots respectively. Alford gave its name to a battle of the Battle of Alford (1645). It is also the home of the world popular Aberdeen Angus cattle breed, which is celebrated by a life-sized model of a bull on the edge of the town. It is believed that the original breeding ground of the cattle was Buffal, located between Tough (Tulloch) and Craigievar nearby Alford. Another claim to fame for the town is the world famous Alford Oatmeal, ground at Montgarrie, just outside the town.


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