The ceremonies were often carried out over the anvil with the "Blacksmith Priest" officiating. This remained the position for over 100 years ...

Then in 1857 another Act of Parliament imposed residential qualifications on the fleeting lovers, whom locals took to their hearts as they lived out the compulsory 21 days in the area before they could marry.

In 1940 Parliament stepped in once again to outlaw the "Blacksmiths Priests" & their anvil marriages.

Thereafter, marriages could only be conducted by a Minister of Religion or an authorised Registrar.

But the romances lived on ...

Today, with no residential qualifications for marriage in Scotland and no parental consent required for couples over 16 (unlike the regulations of many other countries) couples have continued to run away - albeit with the need to serve notice to the Registrar. Gretna & Gretna Green have attracted visitors from all over the world.

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