Alford Heritage Centre

Mart Road, Alford, Aberdeenshire, AB33 8BZ

019755 62906

The old Auction Mart in Alford, once the hub of farming activity for Upper Donside, was closed in 1986. Today the building houses an intriguing exhibition of rural bygones which give an insight into the life of the ordinary working people of Donside and NE Scotland. No mention here of the laird and the big house, but the story of the ploughman and kitchie deem, the small farm and croft, the tradesman, and life in a small village - and all of it at your finger-tips. There are many themed displays: the village shop - the tailor and souter (shoemaker) - through the schoolroom to the farm kitchen and milkhouse - and further on the chaumer (living/sleeping area for farm workers). The mart arena houses treasures galore, and in the barn you find horse-drawn implements, vintage tractors and a thrashing mill. Other rooms feature topics such as the activities of the local Royal Ordnance Corps and the Doric poet, Charles Murray. His birthday is celebrated in the mart arena every September, in a festival of poetry and music performed by youngsters from the Donside area. The Heritage Centre (a registered charity) is manned by volunteers, many of whom have their roots in the farming heritage of NE Scotland. A thoroughly enjoyable, down-to-earth experience for young and old alike. Open: April - October, Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 1pm-5pm. Other times by special arrangement. Guided tours for large parties which are requested to pre-book. Facilities: Car park Coach parking Wheelchair access Travel Directions: At Alford on the A944, 25 miles west of Aberdeen.