This Region is a real microcosm of Scotland - from the rugged mountains of the Galloway Forest Park in the north to the beautiful rolling moors and farmland which stretch down to the magnificent 250 miles of coastline, taking in the wild cliffs of the Mull of Galloway, Scotland's most southerly point and the Balcary Heughs with their huge colonies of sea birds, rocky shores with wonderful wild flowers and beautiful sheltered sandy beaches, fringed with trees.

Dumfries and Galloway is full of history, having been inhabited since the dawn of time with evidence of Mesolithic man and many Bronze Age stone circles, burial chambers, medieval mottes, great Abbeys, Castles and early Christian chapels. St. Ninian brought Christianity to Scotland before the time of St. Columba and settled in Whithorn where there is a very interesting Visitor Centre and archaeological dig. Much of the history of this area is very bloody, especially the time of the Border Reivers. Before them the Romans passed through and there are even a few Pictish stones near Gatehouse of Fleet.

In the 17th Century Dumfries & Galloway was the centre of the Covenanters' persecution - their monuments in wild and beautiful spots amongst the Galloway Hills make wonderful places for walks "with a purpose". In the 18th Century Robert Burns lived, wrote and died in Dumfries & Galloway. Scot's Wha Hae was written in the Murray Arms in Gatehouse and the Selkirk Grace in the Selkirk Arms in Kirkcudbright.

Wigtown is Scotland's Book Town and makes a fascinating day out, Kirkcudbright is very much "The Artists' Town" as it is the home of the "Glasgow Boys" and Hornel's house is now in the ownership of the National Trust. Even today, this whole region is full of artists and craftsmen, and many happy hours can be spent in their studios, buying unusual presents and works of art. All year round there are Art Exhibitions, Music and Drama Festivals (Dumfries boasts Scotland's oldest theatre), Scottish Country Dance Classes and Book Festivals taking place all over the region.

In addition, as this area is bathed by the Gulf Stream, it is the mildest corner of Scotland and there are many sub-tropical gardens, including Logan Gardens, which is an outpost of the Edinburgh Botanic Garden and Threave Gardens, which are owned by the National Trust and incorporates a school of Gardening.