Alford

Alford is a large village of 2,290 located just south of the River Don in the Vale of Alford. Surrounded by the hills of Bennachie and Coreen, the tranquil setting is only a 40 minute drive from the centre of Aberdeen. 

Housing in Alford is a mix of settled bungalows and two storey homes located in a series of quiet streets and family friendly cul-de-sacs branching off from the town’s main road, the A944 which leads to Aberdeen. Homes in Alford benefit from many local amenities including banks, a supermarket, and a number of high-street stores.

History of Alford

Pronounced without the “L” sound, the historic village dates back as early as the mid-17th century where it gave its name to the Battle of Alford in 1645. Home to the world famous Aberdeen Angus cattle breed, the village has paid homage to this in the form of a life-sized bronze statue of Jeremy-Eric, a champion Aberdeen Angus bull.

Things to do in Alford

The village’s superb location gives rise to its reputation as the ‘Gateway to the Cairngorms’, and there’s something for everyone in Alford and the surrounding area. Hillwalking in the nearby Cairngorm mountain range and rambling across the local Haughton country park estate are popular choices for people who enjoy the outdoors.

The village also has two museums – the Alford Heritage Museum and the Grampian Transport Museum. Many classic cars and other vehicles can be found at the transport museum, and it also plays host to a number of family-friendly events throughout the summer months.

Craigievar Castle, just a few miles south of the village, is a stunning example of Scottish Baronial architecture, with its original tower still in place dating back to 1626. The castle is operated by the National Trust for Scotland and is open to the public for some of the year. The area is also home to a number of archaeological sites including Pictish stone circles.

The area also offers a number of good walking routes, a local golf club and even a dry ski slope at Alford Ski Centre with public skiing and snowboarding sessions all year round.

Schools in Alford

The closest primary school for residents of Alford is Alford Primary School, which also includes a nursery unit. Many other villages in the area also have their own primary schools such as Towie School, Echt School and Tullynessle School, which all accept pupils from nursery age to P7. These schools then feed into the local secondary school, which is Alford Academy. A free school bus service is provided to pupils who live three miles from the school but are in the catchment zone.

If you would like to browse properties for sale in Alford, Aberdeenshire with ASPC, our site contains a comprehensive listing of homes for sale, as well as properties to lease and rent. From small cottages to new builds, we have a wide range of flats and new homes for sale in Alford suitable for all budgets. If you are looking to retire in the area, we also have a range of retirement properties you can view here.

For more information on Alford, visit: alfordcommunity.co.uk