Dumfries and Galloway is a region in southern Scotland and is one of the country's least densely populated areas. There are about 148,000 people living in the region, mostly in and around the towns of Dumfries, Stranraer and Annan.

The only motorway link between England and Scotland runs through Dumfries and Galloway, so it's easy to travel north and south by road. There are also five harbours along the 320km of coastline and it only takes 90 minutes to cross to Belfast by ferry.

Dumfries and Galloway is a great choice for families. Property prices are the lowest in Scotland while secondary school results are above the Scottish average and the proportion of school leavers entering higher education is 6% above the Scottish average.

The local economy is based around fishing, agriculture, forestry, tourism, manufacturing, engineering, and food production and processing. The renewable energy sector is also growing and the proportion of self-employed people is higher here than anywhere else in Scotland.

With its miles of coastline and sandy beaches, rolling hills, huge forests and lochs, Dumfries and Galloway is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts – windsurfing, quad-biking, clay pigeon shooting, game and course fishing, sea angling, golf, climbing and walking. People who love to read should visit Wigtown, known as Scotland's National Book Town. There are lots of books shops in Wigtown as well as an annual literary festival. There's even a Tibetan monastery in the area!

www.scotlandistheplace.co.uk