Pronounced with a silent "l", Alford is a town surrounded by a great choice of tourist attractions and no fewer than three castles waiting to be explored; Craigievar, Fraser and Kildrummy. Alford provides an abundance of leisure pursuits for the active visitor; for dry ski slopes to swimming pools and a golf course close by. There is also a large camping and caravanning site in Haughton Country Park. For an authentic taste of rural life in the area, look no further than Alford Heritage Centre. The unique exhibition is housed in Alford's old Auction Mart, which used to be the hub of farming activity for Upper Donside, but was closed in 1986. The Centre, manned by volunteers, offers an insight into the life of ordinary working people of North-east Scotland and features entertaining stories from through the years of life in a small village. Alford VisitScotland Information Centre (seasonal) 01975 562052