Alness has something for everyone (Alness (Scotland))

Member Name: quissue

Product:	Alness (Scotland)
Date:	18/06/09 (82 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: slower pace of life but can get busy

Disadvantages: can be a little too slow for some

Our Town

Alness is situated in Easter Ross on the shores of the Cromarty Firth. Originally a small rural community, Alness expanded rapidly during the late 1960's and early 1970's as a result of major industrial development, particularly the establishment of the aluminium smelter at Invergordon. (now closed and dismantled) and oil-related projects around the Cromarty Firth.
People were hired in from outside the area to work in these smelters and oil projects which worked out well for quite a while, Alness was built to accommodate these workers and therefore a new town was born. Unfortunately once the smelters dismantled this meant the people who had been bought in to the area to work were now out of work. Obviously the fishing community which was then thriving also hit hard times due to certain government legislations and the incentive to disband their fishing boats was put in place. This also meant that the fishermen had to find alternative jobs too.
The Industrial estates around Alness, Evanton, and Invergordon started popping up and some of these workers found work in these outlets. Changing careers, in some cases.
There were other projects coming into line like the oilrigs and other oil related projects which were taken over by varied companies. Work was and still is intermittent for these workers.
In response to these changes and the employment opportunities created by the exploitation of the areas natural resources, the population of Alness rose from 3000 in 1971 to over 6000 by 1981. Alness had become a boom town.
Shops started popping up of varied assortments and we now proudly boast a great Hardware store several different takeaway shops including Chinese and Indian, Thai and English. There are two chemists, Cake shops and sweet shops, a news agent, post office and various gift shops in the main town alongside estate agents and public houses. We boast a Doctors Surgery and have a nice children's park which has a short walk around it. Also on the outer edges of the town we have two large shopping Supermarkets which are Morrison's where I work and Lidl. which is right next door. There is also a little further down the road Dalmore Distillery which is still in operation and has guided tours on a daily basis.
Just opposite these stores in Alness Academy which our older students go to. It has quite a reasonable reputation and works alongside the many primary schools in and around the area.

The voluntary sector grew with the expansion of the town and this in turn formed a community spirit which is second to none in the Highlands.

Since 1997 when Alness first entered the Scotland in Bloom Competition the town has had considerable success in floral competitions. We have won the Scottish small town award seven times, British small town award three times and the Beautiful Scotland in Bloom Premier Award three times and winners in the Nations and World in Bloom competitions. As a result of our success and the publicity created by these awards, Alness has become the shopping centre for Easter Ross. Loads of sightseers come to see the flowers.
All the major cruise liners visiting nearby Invergordon stop there to let visitors wander around the areas, some friends of mine recently did just that and we went to collect them off the ship for a few hours sightseeing tour. They enjoyed themselves immensely and thanked us very much for the lovely trip around the area.
The town is bypassed by the A9 which is at the southern end of the B9176 "Struie road" to Bonar Bridge. Alness Railway is on the north side divided by the River Averon, the town is in two parishes, Alness in the west and Rosskean in the east. Today there are three churches, the free church , the church of Scotland and the Baptist.. The nearest commercial airport is at Dalmore Inverness.
We live in the nearby village of Evanton which I have written about previously. It is a lovely small village just off the Struie road and is quite a lot quieter than Alness itself. Seemingly as if you walked back in time. Quaint but still quite built up as new buildings are going up all the time. In some instances I think this is a shame as it spoils the quiet serenity of Evanton the way it once was. To read more on this village see my other review.
We love ambling around Alness for shopping bits and pieces as there is quite a few shops to do this with and with Invergordon just down the road you could nip in there as well if you so desired.
Places to look out for in Alness

Dalmore Distillery, Bowling, Golf Course, plenty of restaurants and cafes, swimming for the kids and long woodland walks. And of course do not forget the fishing.
Alness Golf Club is a beautifully situated 18 hole golf course and is probably one of the "Best Kept Secrets of the Highlands". The Club offers a warm welcome to both beginners and seasoned players alike and is open to visitors all year round.
The Highlands has 46 Golf Courses ranging from competition standard to 9 hole links courses.
The Ardross & Alness Bowling Club was formed in 1906 and is one of the most picturesque in the area looking on to the Perrins Centre.
The Club is open to visitors during the summer season.
Recreational Activities are readily on offer within the Town to suit all ages from Golfing, Fishing, Bowling, Swimming and many, many other activities.
Hill Walking is well catered for around Alness with the challenge of "Fyrish" where the views are simply stunning looking down over Alness and the Cromarty Firth to the east and over Ben Wyvis to the west.
A must for all serious hill walkers.
For something a bit easier, there are lots of picturesque local walks around the Town to suit all ages.
I hope I haven't bored you too much with this walk through my home town as it has now become. I have lived in and around this area now for four years and never get tired of the wonderful scenic views and the people in it.

Summary: flower displays are second to none