A herd of multi-coloured life-sized Belted Galloway is appearing all round Dumfries and Galloway with an invitation for visitors and locals to snap a 'Selfie with a Beltie'.

The cut-out cows, created from sustainable materials, are intended to highlight some of the best that south west Scotland has to offer in food, drink, leisure, culture, society and tourism.

Among them are one covered in hearts for Gretna Green, the UK’s weddings capital; one decorated with book covers in Wigtown, Scotland’s National Book Town; and one with scallop shells for the fishing port of Kirkcudbright.

There is also a rainbow Beltie that will be placed near the Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary hospital, Dumfries, in recognition of the work by NHS staff during the pandemic.

The Selfie with a Beltie project is part of a series of bright, bold arts initiatives designed to make the most of Dumfries and Galloway’s role as host region for The Royal Highland Showcase, in partnership with Royal Bank of Scotland, which takes place from June 14 to 20.

Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland honorary president, the broadcaster and Lord Lieutenant of Dumfries, Fiona Armstrong, said: “We can’t bring the public to the showground, so we are taking Dumfries and Galloway to the world – and there’s no better-loved symbol of the region than our Belties.

“As Covid restrictions ease in the months and years ahead we hope people will enjoy posting pictures of themselves with our Belties, and even travelling around to snap the whole herd.”

The Belties were created and distributed by Alba Printers of Dumfries, with design input from students and Dumfries and Galloway College.