Allan was born in Glasgow then spent most of his young life travelling around Scotland finally coming to rest in Dumfries and Galloway. He became a freelance photographer in 2000. Originally he started up taking landscape photos for publishing companies as well as supplying images too Stock Photo Libaries. Today his commissioned work includes social event type photography as well as images for local and national press. As well as taking photos he has also written articles about being out of doors in Dumfries and Galloway for national magazines. Currently as well as his photographic work he writes a monthly walking article for Dumfries and Galloway Life magazine which has won Scottish Magazine of the Year 2016. Mary Smith is an author, poet and freelance journalist. Her previous publications include fiction and non-fiction titles, such as Drunk Chickens and Burnt Macaroni: Real Stories of Afghan, Thousands Pass Here Everyday (poetry) and No More Mulberries (her debut novel). In the past, she has also written for a number of local and national publications, such as The Galloway News, The Dumfries & Galloway Standard, Dumfries & Galloway Life, The Herald and Guardian Weekly. A prominent member of the Dumfries Writers' Group, Mary is a familiar face in the area, having also been involved in a number of local community projects.