Daylight through the yearLongest day (Jun 21): 17 h 58 min4:13 am – 10:11 pmShortest day (Dec 21): 6 h 39 min8:49 am – 3:28 pm
Sun todaySunrise –Sunset –
People6,409 residentsin the Howe of Alford census areaMedian age 45.32,744 households78% of homes owner-occupied40% owned outright12% social rented, 9% private rentedSource: National Records of Scotland, Census 2022
Work and commuting3.3% unemployment rate66% of adults are economically active, 3,289 in work, 23% retiredMain industries: health and social work 12%, mining and quarrying 9%, education 9%Getting to work: 32% work from home, 60% go by car, 1% take public transport, 5% walk or cycle23% of those who travel work within 10 km of homeSource: National Records of Scotland, Census 2022
Education and languages39% of adults hold a degree or higher11% have no qualifications, 9% an apprenticeshipMain language: English 98%, other languages 2%Source: National Records of Scotland, Census 2022
ClimateWarmest month July: highs 18°C, lows 10°CColdest month December: highs 6°C, lows -1°C847 mm of rain a year, 20 days with 10 mm or morewettest month October78 days of air frost, 2 summer days above 25°C in a typical yearSource: Met Office HadUK-Grid 1991-2020 averages, 2 km grid (highs and lows from the 12 km grid)
Nearby landmarksPhilip's Potwater · under a milePhemie Poollake · 2.0 miCothiemuir Hillhill · under a mileBoat Potwater · under a mileHill of Airliehill · 1.1 miTemple Glenglen · 1.7 miSource: Ordnance Survey Open Names
Parks and green spacesHaughton Country Parkpark · 2.3 mi · 29 haSource: Ordnance Survey Open Greenspace
Earthquakes3 of magnitude 2 or more within 50 miles since 19700 of magnitude 3+, 0 of magnitude 4+Largest: magnitude 2.0 on 29 May 199945 mi away, Aviemore, HighlandMost recent: magnitude 2.0 on 29 May 199945 mi away, Aviemore, HighlandSource: British Geological Survey earthquake database
Air qualityNO2 1.3 · PM2.5 4.0 · PM10 7.5 µg/m³annual mean concentrations, 2024Within the WHO guidelines for all threeSource: DEFRA modelled background pollution maps 2024, 1 km grid
Broadband59% of premises can get gigabit-capable broadband90% can get superfast (30 Mbit/s or more)0.8% cannot get a decent connection (below the 10 Mbit/s universal service obligation)2,956 residential premises in the census areaSource: Ofcom Connected Nations, July 2025
Elevation135 m443 ft above sea levelLand within 1 km ranges from 110 to 269 mSource: Ordnance Survey, OS Terrain 50
Local servicesHospitalInverurie Hospital10 miGP surgeryAlford Medical Practice2.8 miPharmacyN S Wilson LTD2.9 miDentistYoung Smile Dental Care2.9 miSource: NHS Organisation Data Service; Public Health Scotland
SchoolsWithin 2 mi1 school1 primaryPrimaryKeig Schoolunder a mileSecondaryAlford Academy3.1 miSource: Scottish Government, school contact details
Getting aroundAirportAberdeen International Airport ABZ17 miRailway stationInsch5.4 miFerryAberdeen Ferry Terminal22 miBus stops3 within a mileSources: Department for Transport NaPTAN; OurAirports
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the AB33 postcode district.
