Wigtown Book Festival bursts into life

It is the first edition of the festival in more than a decade to go ahead without support from sponsors Baillie Gifford.

They withdrew from their partnership with the event following pressure from climate change protesters earlier this year.

Up to 8,000 visitors are expected across the 10-day celebration of all things literary.

Among the speakers this year will be Dr Fraser Hunter principal curator of prehistoric and Roman archaeology at National Museums Scotland.

He said he wanted to “address some of the myths” about the Roman presence north of the border.

“We often think of their world stopping at Hadrian’s Wall – it didn’t, Scotland was in or on the edge of the Roman world,” he said.

“They invaded three times, coming twice into Galloway.

“We also often have a bit of an Asterix view of the Romans, poor Italians shivering in the cold and facing fierce, indomitable tribesmen.”

Others coming to the festival this year include the Hebridean Baker Coinneach MacLeod, Scotland’s national chef Gary MacLean and former BBC Moscow correspondent Martin Sixsmith.

There will also be appearances from MasterChef finalist Sarah Rankin and actor James Cosmo.