Location
The Anvil
Gretna Green
Gretna Town and Gretna Green are separated by the A75 Road which takes you to Dumfries. Gretna was a purpose built town for the workers of the local munitions factories set up during the War.
Within the town you will find great shopping at the Gretna Gateway outlet Village and lots of local wedding suppliers located with the town centre.
Gretna Green as you may know, is one of the most famous wedding venues in the world. Hosting on average of 4000 wedding in each year, approx one in eight of all weddings in taking place in Scotland.
The ancient tradition of the ‘hand fasting’ ceremony for marrying couples was law in Scotland until as recently as 1940. This simple civil ceremony enabled couples over the age of 16 to marry by declaring in front of two witnesses their wish to be husband and wife and they were legally bound.
Gretna Green became famous for these hand fasting ceremonies following the 1754 Marriage Act. However this was not popular with the Church and they fought to have the law changed and the Parliament introduced a law stating that all marriages had to take place in a church and both the bride and groom had to be over 21.
Scotland however decided not to adopt this law and soon many couples were taking advantage this loop hole to elope to Gretna Green to tie the knot. The Local blacksmith decided to take advantage of this boom and downed his tools to take up the role of "blacksmith priest". For nearly 200 years there have been weddings at the Blacksmiths Anvil in Gretna Green.
Easterbrook Hall and the Crichton are located only 25 Miles from Gretna Green
(approx ½ Hours drive)