Drawing upon historical research and recent archaeological discoveries, this book brings to life the events and personalities of the ancient realm of Galloway. This mysterious region of South-West Scotland has for centuries attracted pilgrims to its holy places, especially Whithorn, ever since St Ninian founded Candida Casa in the early-Christian era. Galloway's vicissitudes began in Roman times, when the territory was occupied by Britons who had more in common with the people of what is now Wales than they did with their Northern neighbours, the Picts and the Scots. A few centuries later, however, the rulers of Northumbria held sway over Galloway, binding the two provinces in religion and culture. But Galloway's recognition of shared interests was not as strong as its fierce sense of identity. The region stubbornly opposed Anglo-Norman domination, and gave dour resistance to being assimilated into the kingdom of Scotland. In this book, there emerges a dual-natured portrait of Galloway, conveyed in the author's handling of the medieval character.
The figures described are men notorious for being savage, lecherous and irreligious; and yet, this in a part of Scotland widely known for its holy shrines. In the past ten years, the number of visitors to Whithorn has increased to 30,000 annually, all of them eager to experience the historical atmosphere and culture of this beautiful area.