Valentine's Day – Declare your Love at Gretna Green

Valentine’s Day is around the corner and in a little village in on the Scottish/English border, things may be getting a little busier.

Gretna Green was famous for its marriage trade in the 18th century and as a place where ‘runaway’ marriages were carried out. In the blacksmiths’ shops, Gretna Green’s blacksmiths became known as ‘anvil priests’ as they performed wedding ceremonies over the anvil for couples as young as 14.  No parental consent was required in Scotland at that time.

Saying "I Do"

These days the “World Famous Old Blacksmith’s Shop” at Gretna Green is still popular as a wedding venue and couples from the world over come to Gretna Green to be married over the blacksmith’s anvil.

This Valentine’s Day, if you’re travelling near this part of Scotland, you can arrange to declare your love for one another over the anvil or renew your marriage vows.  The resident ‘Blacksmith’ guide will perform a traditional Scottish oath in an Anvil Ceremony within the World Famous Old Blacksmiths Shop.

Read more about Gretna Green’s World Famous Old Blacksmiths Shop.