Gretna Green - Top Choice
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Scottish Wedding Guide > Gretna Green

An Act of Parliament was passed in England in 1753, stating that for a marriage, parental consent was required if both parties were under 21 years of age. This was not the case under Scottish law, where the legal age for marriage was 14 years for boys and 12 years for girls, with or without parental consent.

In 1929 the legal age for marriage in Scotland was increased to 16 years, with no parental consent required. In the same year, the legal age for marriage in England and Wales was reduced to 16 years with parental consent, and 18 years without. By that time Gretna had already become famous with young elopers from south of the border hoping to marry.

And even today Gretna Green is
still one of the most famous and romantic places in the world for a wedding, whatever age you are.

Today. around one in eight of all Scottish marriages take place here, such is the romance of the place.

And it's not just the young who get married here, many mature couples choose Gretna as their favoured wedding destination. You can understand why when you see the place, where probably the best known feature is the fairytale Old Blacksmith Shop, with the anvil, which has become a symbol of a 'lasting' marriage.

The Blacksmith and his anvil have become a lasting symbol of marriage here. There are two Blacksmiths shops, and over the years, the local Blacksmiths became known as 'anvil priests'. The striking of two hot pieces of metal by the Blacksmith on his anvil was seen as a symbol of the joining together of the couple in marriage. The Blacksmith's shop, known as the 'old smithy' has three wedding rooms, each with an anvil, and it is probably the best known venue and tourist attraction here. Nearby is the Gretna Hall hotel which has its own Blacksmith's shop, complete with anvil, and is another of the popular wedding venues here.


But Gretna Green is more than just a wedding destination ......


Even if marriage is not on your mind, Gretna Green is a place worth visiting, just to spend a relaxing day, and even keep the kids amused.

Apart from being a well known romantic wedding destination, Gretna Green is a very popular visitor attraction, with some great shopping and restaurants, arts & crafts centre, sculpture garden, and an exhibition of the story of this most fascinatng place.

There's also a computerised service in the tartan shop, where you can try to discover your clan roots, and also shop for your clan tartan. You'll also find two very good licensed restaurants, the Old Smithy Restaurant and Smiths at Gretna Green, where you can enjoy morning coffee, light snacks, afternoon tea, and dinner.

The Courtship Maze at the Old Blacksmith’s Shop Centre is a novel attraction and also a journey of discovery for both children and adults alike. It's a maze with a difference, and great fun, no
matter what age you are.

The kids can also be kept amused in the play park, while mums and dads can admire sculptures created by local, national and international artists in the Sculpture Garden. You can spend a full day here with all the attractions there is to see, and it really is a great day out, so even if marriage is not on your mind, Gretna Green is certainly worth visiting.

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