Springfield, Bensmoor Road, Old Blacksmith's Shop
Cottage (18th Century), Shop (18th Century), Smithy (18th Century)
Site Name Springfield, Bensmoor Road, Old Blacksmith's Shop
Classification Cottage (18th Century), Shop (18th Century), Smithy (18th Century)
Alternative Name(s) Gretna Green; Headless Cross; Old Smithy
Canmore ID 67432
Site Number NY36NW 17
NGR NY 32116 68368
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/67432
- Council Dumfries And Galloway
- Parish Gretna
- Former Region Dumfries And Galloway
- Former District Annandale And Eskdale
- Former County Dumfries-shire
NY36NW 17 32116 68368
NY36NW 17 32116 68368
When an Act of Parliament of 1754 laid down that no marriage in England should be legal unless observing certain formalities, the most popular of several resorts across the border for runaway couples was Gretna Green. The marriage ceremony was performed at the Old Smithy (published on OS 6" at NY 3211 6836), at Gretna Hall (NY 3190 6821), which was converted into an hotel for the runaways, and elsewhere. Of these, the old Smithy is the best known.
Registers of many thousands of marriages still exist. A further Act of 1856, by stipulating that one at least of the parties should reside in Scotland for 21 days 'next preceding' the ceremony, put an end to immediate runaway marriages.
J L Mack 1924; F L Carter 1924
The 'Smithy' is now a curio shop and Gretna Hall is a Hotel.
Visited by OS (RD) 19 June 1970.
