Farm & Large-Animal Vets near Alford

Morven Veterinary Practice Ltd, located in Alford, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, is a highly rated veterinary clinic, boasting a 4.8-star rating from 102 Google reviews. This rating indicates a consistently high level of customer satisfaction, supported by the heartfelt testimonials of clients. The practice is noted for its caring and compassionate staff, who provide thorough and empathetic care to both pets and their owners. One reviewer, Glenfinnan 1518, appreciated the staff's sensitivity during a difficult farewell to their pet. Barry Lynch praised the straightforward, practical advice and the team's ability to perform a complex operation on his elderly dog, giving them more cherished time together. The presence of named individuals like Sarah and Erica highlights the personal connection the team fosters with their clients. Morven Veterinary Practice offers a range of services, including emergency veterinary care and training for veterinary nurses, indicating a commitment to both immediate care and the future of veterinary medicine. The practice is praised for its reasonable pricing, making quality care accessible to pet owners. Long-term clients, like Ruth Hardie, attest to the clinic's consistent excellence over decades, noting both routine and emergency care experiences as exemplary. The practice’s ability to handle even challenging pets with gentle care, as mentioned by Maggie Evans, reinforces its reputation for expertise and kindness. In summary, Morven Veterinary Practice Ltd is a well-regarded clinic that prioritizes compassionate care, professional integrity, and client satisfaction, making it a trusted choice for pet owners in the Alford area.

Norfolk Farm Ltd, located in Alford, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, is a well-regarded establishment with a commendable Google Maps rating of 4.8 stars based on 42 reviews. This rating suggests a high level of customer satisfaction, although the relatively small number of reviews means the data set is not extensive. However, the feedback provided in the written reviews generally aligns with this positive rating. The farm is appreciated for its fresh produce, good value, and ample parking, as highlighted by Sam Ellis. It offers a variety of locally produced products, including eggs, vegetables, fruits, and meat packs, which Keith has praised, noting the excellent delivery and collection service. This focus on local produce seems to resonate well with the community. In addition to its agricultural offerings, Norfolk Farm Ltd hosts community events, which have been well-received. Steven Middleditch and Daniel Goodrum both commend the farm for its Saturday night events featuring live music, street food, and a bar, with seating provided on straw bales. These events are noted for being family-friendly and adhering to social distancing measures, enhancing their appeal during times when such precautions are necessary. Despite the overwhelmingly positive feedback, a notable complaint from Jaro Lux points out issues with the farm being closed unexpectedly, without signage indicating opening hours. This suggests a potential area for improvement in communication or operational consistency. Overall, Norfolk Farm Ltd appears to be a valued community asset, offering both quality local produce and enjoyable social events, though it may benefit from addressing concerns regarding accessibility or availability.

## Summary Aldervale Vets Alford is part of the wider Aldervale Vets group, supported by Rase Veterinary Centre (RCVS Tier 3 accredited, per the practice website). The website describes access to an onsite laboratory and a broader hospital team with interests in surgery and small animal medicine, with out‑of‑hours emergencies covered by Rase Vets from 22:00. Recent reviews show a mixed experience: one owner describes an urgent small‑pet visit arranged quickly (seen within ~15 minutes after a call for a bleeding hamster), while other reviewers describe long waits, poor communication, and concerns about the consulting room’s cleanliness/modernity. There’s also a review reporting an upfront cost request for a caesarean section (£500) and dissatisfaction about the lack of a payment plan. ## Services From the clinic website summary: - Consultations - Home visits - Diagnostics - Onsite laboratory - Orthopaedic surgery - Soft tissue surgery - Certification (including Animal Health Certificate for travel) Emergency care (as stated on the website): - Out‑of‑hours emergency care is provided by Rase Vets from 22:00. From reviews: - Injections and “other treatments” for a cat were mentioned by one reviewer. - An urgent appointment for a bleeding hamster was described, including immediate assessment and treatment. - A caesarean section was discussed in a review (as a proposed treatment for a cat in premature labour). ## Pricing - One reviewer reports being asked for **£500 upfront** for a **C‑section** (no further breakdown given). - Another reviewer mentions “good prices” without specifics. ## People No staff are named in the available information, but reviews describe: - **Reception team (mixed feedback):** one owner praised a receptionist for being empathetic and arranging an urgent appointment quickly; another reviewer describes the person taking the booking call as “offish and rude.” - **Veterinary team (mixed feedback):** one reviewer described the vet as professional, knowledgeable, reassuring, and gentle when treating a hamster; another said the vet “barely said 10 words” and didn’t inspire confidence. - **Nursing/support staff:** one reviewer mentions a nurse coming out to explain there was a “situation and procedure” causing delays, but felt communication and apology were lacking. ## Reviews **Google rating: 3.4 stars from 25 reviews.** **Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.** - **Fast help in an urgent case (praised):** a hamster with heavy bleeding was reportedly seen within ~15 minutes of calling, and the owner felt the vet was reassuring and careful. - **Wait times and communication (criticised):** one reviewer describes waiting around 40 minutes without an apology and feeling the situation wasn’t explained clearly. - **Cost/payment expectations (criticised):** one review reports being asked for **£500 upfront** for a C‑section and being unhappy that a payment plan wasn’t offered. - **Environment concerns (criticised):** one reviewer says the consultation room needed “a good clean and modernising.” - **Friendly experiences also reported:** some older reviews describe friendlier service over time and positive experiences for routine care (e.g., injections).