Having seen most of what was to be seen in Dumfries, I decided to do a quick train ride (£3.25/$4.20) to Gretna Green, famous as Britain’s most popular wedding locale. Due to earlier laws regarding the minimum marriage age in England and Wales being older than in Scotland many people would head here to marry early. Laws at the time required only 2 witnesses and anyone could perform the service. A local blacksmith shop became the main venue to carry these “Anvil Marriages” out. In fact one smithy is reported to have performed 5172 services!
From the train station one goes to either Gretna via this tunnel I could not stand up in, or Gretna Green via a meadow.
Apparently one out of eight Scottish marriages occur here each year
There is a wee sculpture garden and….
This 13′ tall one is called “The Big Dance”
And this one is one of the most photographed of all “couples” in Scotland. The Garden was opened by Britt Ekland who starred in the macabre film “Wickerman” parts of which were filmed in Plockton.
I was on the train to Annan a 1/2 hour after arriving in GG
This is a very old city it was the home of the de Brus family whose most famous son was Robert the Bruce who defeated Balliolis’ forces in 1332.
The Town Hall is under renovation
The day was sunny and rather warm 15c/60f and sunny so when I found a footpath on the banks of the River Annan I was off for a stroll
A motte and bailey castle was built in the 12th century on the top of this hill. There is nothing left to see but some foundations
And here was a good spot to rinse in the river without falling in although avoiding the cow pies was difficult.
Stan Laurel was born in Ulverston, Lancashire not too far from here in 1890 and made his theatric debut in Glasgow as I have noted in an earlier post. Stan & Ollie are often found on display in the county.
There is a local museum that I popped in to visit for a half hour. The film about salmon fishing using nets in the River Annan was enjoyable.
A few nice paintings, some local artifacts were displayed
“Records of War: Photography and Letters from World War One” was a temporary exhibit.
And back in Dumfries before the rain set in. England tomorrow.
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