Left Ayr this morning. Hard to believe that our 3 weeks in Scotland are over! We loved every minute of Scotland, the history, the scenery, the people, just been an absolute pleasure. We are very sorry to leave.
Before we crossed the border back into England, passed through a town called Crossmichael - had to take a photo!
Sign for Crossmichael - luckily ours isn’t like that! 😆
One of the roads travelled to Dumfries
And of course, Gretna Green! What an interesting place, a very touristy business!
This town became a romantic haven for eloping young couples in 1753. In 1754 an Act for Better Preventing of Clandestine Marriage, popularly known as Lord Hardwickes Marriage Act, came into force in 1754. In England it required a formal church marriage ceremony, parental consent for under 21’s and a prior public announcement to allow for objections. This act however did not apply in Scotland and this is how Gretna Green came about!
Where ceremonies take place today.
The Repentance Stool was used for couples who undertook “irregular marriages” and placed themselves outside the Church. To be admitted back as full members of the Church they had to take part in ceremonies where they sat on “repentance stools “ in front of the congregation and were reprimanded from the pulpit. In the Gretna Green church records of 1731, 7 couples were ‘Rebuked for irregular marriages and a fine of half a Guinea imposed on each person’.
Carriage used to carry young couples from England to Gretna Green
This is the oldest wedding anvil in existence. Scottish law allowed any citizen to perform a wedding if it was witnessed by two people. The blacksmiths at Gretna Green took on the role with enthusiasm, using this anvil as an altar to conduct their ceremonies.
Crossing the border - note the massive sign!
Then off across the border to Morecombe, a seaside town. We are in a basement flat on the seafront, pretty good! Went for a walk uptown to get groceries and found a fabulous second hand bookshop!
Second Hand bookshop - just amazing!
We are in the basement on the bottom right hand side
More exploring tomorrow!
Second Hand bookshop - just amazing!
You’ve visited Crossmichael, I suppose next up is Grumpyjosh then Angrydaniel???
ReplyDeleteBeen there, done that! 😀
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