| 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.
Useful Links
www.dumfriesandgalloway.co.uk
www.dumfries-and-galloway.co.uk
www.dgvisitor.co.uk
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