Gretna Green, Scotland

Bus drivers are required by law to take breaks during a long day of traveling, and some of them have to be for a decent amount of time (an hour or so). As a result, bus tours like the one we took pop up in some interesting places. In our case, we spent time at a couple of large garden centers as well as a highway rest area that was more like a farmer's market.

But Gretna Green was different than the others. It's considered the Romantic Capital of Scotland. Yes, there's a story behind it.

England and Wales passed the Marriage Act in 1754 that prevented couples under the age of 21 from getting married. There was a good-sized loophole in that plan, since Scotland had no such law. So young lovers would cross the border into Scotland, where they found Gretna Green more than willing to help tie the knot. 

OK, so what's the anvil got to do with all of this? It seems that the local blacksmith was designated as an officiate for such ceremonies. Along the way, he struck an anvil ... and that's what you see here.

The laws are different now, but Gretna Green has retained its reputation as a good place to get married. It hosts about 5,000 weddings a year. Other visitors, like us, are welcome to buy Scottish gifts at stores and look at romance-theme sculptures. 

This 1952 video reenacts a wedding ceremony from the past, and it's funny and charming.