Galloway - Is the Name Dumfries and Galloway working for the region? Does Galloway need to become a brand?
Dumfries and Galloway is a long-winded name for a region that is one of the top-ten most extensive council areas in the United Kingdom.
Although the name Dumfries and Galloway, does what it says on the tin - covers the region of Dumfries and Galloway it lacks something. You know like called KFC - Kentucky Fried Chicken.
You know what it means, but it does not sound right.
Or, in another way, would you call Hampshire Council, Winchester and Hampshire Council?
Or Northumberland Council Newcastle and Northumberland?
No, because they all sound wrong.
Given the South of Scotland is looking to create a separate identity for its two regions "The Borders" and " Dumfries and Galloway" moving all the names of organisations from Dumfries and Galloway to just Galloway would make absolute sense as part of that journey.
Giving the region the title "Galloway" would give it a one-word identity like the Highlands or Yorkshire and allow a stronger brand to be treated for tourism, business and public sector recruitment.
As a national park application is in the process of being applied for (and possibly awarded) it would also help strengthen that role out.
Terms like Galloway Hills and Galloway Forest could also become stronger tourism draws.
For food producers, it will also allow them to piggyback of the new name and identify. Galloway Belties could become the next Highland cows.
And Channel Five is always looking for rural charm content for Sunday evenings - instead of a Yorkshire Farmer etc why not a Galloway farmer.
There is so much potential in the region of Dumfries and Galloway, having a name that helps shapes that identify will help the economy, local community sprit and help Galloway to stop being the "forget corner" of Scotland.
Galloway needs to become a brand.