The American amusement park known as “Six Flags” derives from the six flags that have flown over the state of Texas. Galloway, by comparison, has had a longer and even more varied past. The National Library of Scotland explains:
“Though now part of Scotland, the region was once part of the ancient Northern Brittonic Kingdom of Rheged and later the Kingdoms of Strathclyde and Northumbria. Given its location in southwest Scotland, its history has been influenced by the Picts, Romans, Angles, Vikings, Danes, English and Scots. This is reflected in the variety of place-names throughout the region, and one can find examples of Cumbric – a Northern Brittonic language closely related to Welsh – Old Norse, Old English, Gaelic and Scots. There are examples of Roman, Medieval and Ecclesiastical archaeology throughout the region, with many historical sites now popular tourist attractions.”