A campaign is urging Scotland's politicians to back its case for an historic Viking hoard to have its home where it was found - in Dumfries and Galloway.
The hoard was discovered in Galloway by metal detectorist Derek McLennan in 2014, a treasure trove that had been deliberately buried more than 1,000 years ago.
It includes more than 100 gold and silver objects - among them are a unique gold bird-shaped pin, a gold ingot, an enamelled Christian cross, decorated Anglo-Saxon brooches, armbands and an engraved Carolingian silver vessel.
The items in the hoard, estimated at being worth £1m, come from across Europe - among the objects are fragments of Byzantine silk.
However people in Galloway fear that the hoard, currently owned by the Crown, could be entirely allocated to the National Museums of Scotland, in Edinburgh.
The Galloway Viking Hoard (GVH) campaign has now written to the culture secretary, Fiona Hyslop, MSPs and MPs to enlist their support.
They have also launched an online petition which has 600 signatures.
Cathy Agnew, chair of the GVH, said: "We have been overwhelmed by the strength of feeling there is to make sure the hoard has its home in Dumfries and Galloway.
"As well as people signing the petition we have had many emails and letters of support.
“It’s a David and Goliath battle so we need all the backing we can get.
“But it’s already clear that a lot of people think it would be very inappropriate if, during Scotland’s designated Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology, such a wonderful find should go to Edinburgh rather than the region where it was buried for safekeeping 1,000 years ago."
She added: "The Scottish Government has promised to do more to develop tourism in Southern Scotland and our the national museums strategy talks about the importance of working together.
"Bringing the hoard to Kirkcudbright Art Gallery would be a brilliant way to deliver on these pledges."
A National Museums Scotland spokeswoman said: "We have been in dialogue with Dumfries and Galloway Council regarding the acquisition of the Galloway Hoard for several months now and are continuing our discussions.
"We have also submitted an application to Treasure Trove to acquire the hoard for the benefit of the nation.
"The hoard is of considerable national and international significance and acquisition by National Museums Scotland would save it for the nation in the long term and ensure that the hoard is seen by people from Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, the rest of the UK and internationally."
Dumfries and Galloway Council is bidding to have the hoard in a specially created exhibition space in Kirkcudbright.
The council’s Communities Committee meets on 7 March to decide how to take its bid forward.
A key date in the decision making on the hoard is 23 March, when the Scottish Archaeological Finds Allocation Panel (SAFAP) is due to meet and decide on the future of the Galloway Viking Hoard.
GVH has emphasised that if the hoard comes to Kirkcudbright it would be "very supportive of agreements for it to be displayed in other places, including Edinburgh and far beyond."
The Scottish Government’s pledge Plan for Scotland promises to “develop the further promotion of the south of Scotland as a visitor destination”.
Work is already underway on the £3.1m project to convert Kirkcudbright town hall into a new art gallery.
The scheme has received support from the Heritage Lottery Fund and Dumfries and Galloway Council.
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