Gretna Green Timeline

Lord Hardwicke's Marriage Act becomes law on the 26th March. Not to be outdone by this new law young couples soon learn that the law does not apply in Scotland. The race to Gretna Green begins. Almost immediately the Blacksmiths shop, the focal point of the village, is thrust into the limelight as it secures its place in Scottish history. From this date onwards, English Law Lords debate with their contemporaries over the border urging them to adopt the new law...Scotland refuses!

Due to the spectacular controversy caused by Gretna Green weddings, the Establishment continues to apply pressure to outlaw them. In 1856 Lord Brougham passes an act, which has a severe effect on the runaway trade. This act states, that if a couple wished to marry in Scotland one of them has to spend 21 days living here before marriage. This is commonly referred to as the "cooling off" act. Now locals in Gretna Green begin taking in lodgers and hay barns become places of residence too!

After 186 years of lobbying Scotland concedes to the demands of England and handfasting ceremonies, fondly known as 'Anvil Weddings', are outlawed. Now only the local Registrar can legally marry couples. In England you still have to be 21 years before you can marry without your parents' consent; in Scotland, if you are over 16, you are free to marry therefore English couples still elope to the Gretna Registrars and visit the Blacksmiths Shop for their 'blessing'. The 21 days 'cooling off' act is still in force.

In England and Wales, the age of consent is lowered to 18 (still two years difference) and the 'cooling off' act is repealed. Couples continue to take advantage of the two years difference and the romance of Gretna Green is as popular as ever with couples travelling to marry here from all over the world.

Although it is perfectly legal in Scotland for a member of the clergy to conduct a marriage ceremony outwith a church building this is a rare occurrence. Following in the footsteps of her grandmother, one young bride-to-be succeeds in finding a Church of Scotland minister who is prepared to marry the couple over the anvil in the Famous Blacksmiths Shop. Despite opposition, this historical event sets a precedent for other couples to marry in a religious ceremony outwith the church. The result is a renewed flow of couples to this romantic place.

Another alteration to Scotland's Marriage Act allows civil ceremonies to take place in licensed premises.

The Famous Blacksmiths Shop applies for a license. Now both religious and civil ceremonies are possible over the historic anvil.

This year marked the 250th anniversary of the 1754 Marriage Act which catapulted Gretna Green, like cupid's arrow, into the hearts of young couples throughout England and romantics everywhere! To commemorate the event the local communities came together and arranged a variety of activities throughout the year including a re-enactment on the anniversary date during which the local schools and many of the local community dressed up in period costume and acted out famous events from Gretna Green's past.

That same year, Dennis and Eileen Howell from Birmingham, one of the last couples to marry in a traditional handfasting ceremony, came back to Gretna Green to renew their vows, 65 years on!

Another law change: civil partnerships are now possible. The Famous Blacksmiths Shop now welcomes same-sex couples to celebrate their civil partnership in Gretna Green.

Smiths at Gretna Green, Scotland's newest 4-star boutique hotel opened. Built by owners of the Famous Blacksmiths Shop, the hotel marks a new era in Gretna Green weddings...a perfect twinning of the ancient and modern. The hotel receives rave reviews with its stylish modern banqueting suites and 50 bedrooms from deluxe double to Penthouse Apartment.

This year the Famous Blacksmiths Shop celebrates its 300th anniversary since it was built. This is commemorated by the publishing of a new book all about the history of Gretna Green and the family behind this modern-day romantic destination. Gretna Green Famous Blacksmiths Shop also receives 5-star visitor attraction recognition from VisitScotland, the country's official tourism organisation. More modern-day building work has also taken place with the development of 6 new luxury suites, Smiths Bensmoor Suites. These serviced one and two bedroom suites add to the 4 luxury suites available at Smiths hotel.

The Scottish Parliament passes the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Bill enabling same-sex weddings to take place in Scotland. Religious bodies can opt in to perform ceremonies.

Local hotel, Gretna Hall is purchased by family business, Gretna Green Ltd. The cornerstone of this modern hotel is, in fact, a historic manor house, which in 1825, became a coaching inn. Leased by a John Linton, another notorious character from Gretna Green's past, the Hall witnessed many scandals as a venue for aristocratic weddings. The building has secret passageways which were used to conceal the couple from the bride's father!

In April 2022, we proudly reopened the doors to our newly transformed Gretna Green Experience. After a £1.5 million restoration, our historic Blacksmiths’ Shop became an immersive museum—bringing to life centuries of love, romance, and runaway weddings. With interactive exhibits, audio-visual storytelling, and our brand-new wedding room The Forge, we invite visitors to step into the heart of Gretna Green’s legendary past like never before.