Scottish racing driver Dario Franchitti is helping to promote Dumfries and Galloway by encouraging tourists to explore the area by car. The American-based IndyCar champion has launched a series of "Great Scottish Drives" with VisitScotland.

One tour aims to showcase the region and suggests visiting places such as Galloway Forest Park, Newton Stewart and Gretna Green. The driving itinerary is being promoted in the US and Canada. Two other routes, covering the west coast and north, and Inverness to Edinburgh, are also being promoted by Mr Franchitti.