This book is an enjoyable anthology of Dumfries and Galloway, edited by Innes MacLeod. This border land is the ancient gateway between Scotland and England, much fought over down the centuries, the home of Burns and of Robert de Bruce. A long coastline bordering the Solway Firth faces England, the Isle of Man, and Ireland. A shoaling coast which can be treacherous. Notched into its Western tip is Cairn Ryan where many of Britain’s famous ships have been broken up for scrap. Innes MacLeod has chosen the extracts well to convey the rich flavour and history of this area of Scotland.