Funny you should ask about Gretna Green! When I was in Scotland, I hadn't planned on visiting this town, but as we were driving from Scotland to England, I saw that we would be going right by it. I've read so many romances in which the characters eloped to Gretna Green! I told my husband that we had to stop. He rolled his eyes and said, "Is this some romance novel thing?"

The town was off the main road and was unfortunately not very picturesque. It was a big tourist trap, with souvenir shops, fast food, etc. But apparently, a lot of people still come here to get married, sort of like Americans go to Las Vegas to get married.

In "the old blacksmith shop," there is a small museum with artifacts, costumes, letters, etc, that tells the history of Gretna Green. It was very interesting.

In the same building, there are several marriage rooms, each with an anvil. In the nineteenth century, underage brides would elope from England to Scotland because in Scotland there was no need for parental consent, or for a priest to make the marriage official. All that was needed was a witness. The bride and groom would simply stop off at the blacksmith shop on the other side of the border.

The enterprising blacksmith was all set up to be the witness for the couple and record their marriage. The couple would join hands over the anvil and say their vows, and be married.

It's still considered romantic to come to Gretna Green today and get married the same way. The garden outside are very nice for taking wedding pictures. Unfortunately, there weren't any weddings going on when we were there!

Even though modern Gretna Green is a bit commercialized, I'm glad I stopped to see it!

Joy