Visitor FAQs

The Gretna Green Story Exhibition has been devised to enable visitors to spend as much time as they like going around the various exhibits. As soon as you step inside the blacksmith’s cottage, in which the main exhibition is housed you will be captivated by the atmosphere. The background sounds of the frantic young lovers making their dash to Gretna Green (250 years ago!) immediately bring this ancient building to life.

Back in the 18th Century marriage laws were very relaxed. It was simply a matter of declaring your wish to be recognised as husband and wife, and you were married by law. Members of the English aristocracy were not happy with this haphazard arrangement and feared their daughters would make unsuitable arrangements with men of whom they did not approve. In 1754 a new marriage act was passed through parliament and made law in England and Wales.

The romantic Scots did not adopt this law and the handfasting ceremonies (as they were known) continued. When knowledge of this difference reached the ears of the young lovers from over the border it wasn’t long before they began eloping to marry here.

Gretna Green was the first village in Scotland and located along the main coaching route between London and Edinburgh.

The Famous Blacksmiths Shop is one of four original marriage houses: An inn situated in the adjoining community of Springfield was also a marriage house as was a local coaching inn, the Gretna Hall and during the 19th Century, when a new road was built over the Sark river, the Toll bar became a venue for run-aways to marry.

Yes, the traditional Anvil weddings (known as handfasting ceremonies) were banned in 1940. However, since 1977 it has been legal to marry in the Famous Blacksmiths Shop. Nowadays both religious and civil ceremonies are conducted. Every year about 5,000 couples marry in this area.

No, it is no longer required for a couple to reside in the parish where they wish to marry for any longer than the duration of the ceremony. Back in 1856, a marriage act was introduced which enforced the requirement for one member of the couple to reside in the parish for at least 21 days. This law has since been repealed.

In true runaway style? Sadly not. The minimum length of time required to plan a wedding in the UK is 29 working days. Nowadays wherever you marry you are required to fill in a legal document (M10 form) which along with your birth certificates and any other documents such as divorce papers need to be sent to the registrars where you plan to marry. From this information, they will draw up your marriage schedule. Without this, you cannot be married.

Anyone could conduct a handfasting ceremony. It just happened that in Gretna Green the first building over the border was a blacksmiths Shop. Weddings took place in the workshop, while the blacksmith and his men continued their work. The first notable ‘Blacksmith Priest’, Joseph Paisley was not a blacksmith but adopted this title and since then all these marriage men inherited the title of ‘Blacksmith Priest’.

As with most exhibitions, photography is prohibited. For different reasons this also applies to weddings. The wedding couples and their party are here for their special day and it is our privilege to be able to share this day with them. Without their permission, it would be disrespectful to intrude by taking photograph

We have almost complete records going back to 1920. Between 1891 to 1920 some records do exist. If you have a relative you believe married here and you are interested to know for sure we will be happy to search our records for you. The marriage certificates are stored within the Blacksmith’s Exhibition Shop. Please phone us on 01461 338224 with the date and names of both parties and we will search our records. We can provide a photocopy of the certificate for a nominal fee.

If our records bear no fruits we suggest you contact the Central Registrars Office in Edinburgh on 0131 334 0380.

There are over 500 registered tartans.

Yes – there are a number of general or district tartans available. Any friend of Scotland can wear a tartan! There is a Clan Information Centre within The New Shop for visitors to explore.

We would recommend Haggis, Neeps (Swede) and Tatties (Potatoes) of course! Followed by oatcakes and a selection of Scottish Cheeses. Our Foodhall sells a variety of Haggis and different cheese, along with Scottish preserves, locally smoked meats and salmons, pates, shortbreads and hand-made chocolates.

Absolutely! We love welcoming four-legged friends. Gretna Green is very dog friendly, we even sell doggy ice cream and accessories.

At Runaways, dogs are welcome in the seating area only, and we ask that you use the seating area doors as the buffets are not covered.

At Toll Bar Café, dogs are welcome in the outside seating area only because of the open kitchen.

At Smiths, dogs can stay in Brensmoor Cottages and relax in the lounge area, but they are not allowed in the restaurant.

At Gretna Hall, dogs are welcome in the ground floor rooms and lounge, but again not in the restaurant.

Our Gretna Green 1754 Retail area is fully dog friendly.

You are also welcome to enjoy the beautiful grounds at Gretna Hall and the surrounding countryside, which offer plenty of lovely walks.

Dogs are not allowed in the catering servery areas. They are not permitted in the restaurants at Smiths or Gretna Hall. Other pets are not allowed unless agreed in advance. Guide Dogs, Hearing Dogs, and other assistance dogs are welcome everywhere at all times.