Things to do in Gretna, Dumfries and Galloway
The name Gretna means "gravelly hill".
When Scotland had more liberal marriage laws than England, it became a popular place for English couples to elope to and get married, just over the border.
In 18th-century England the age of consent for marriage was 21, whereas in Scotland boys could marry at 14 and girls at 12 with or without parental consent.
Gretna's border position meant it was a customs post, established in 1612 to collect taxes when cattle were driven across the border, possibly to market.
During World War I the HM Factory known as Moorside was established to provide cordite munitions on the shore of the Solway Firth.
It became the biggest factory ever, stretching for nine miles from Eastriggs to Longtown in England and was two miles wide.
Some workers were transported by train from Carlisle. They had such a reputation for drunkenness that one pub lined up 1,000 whiskies ready to greet them when they poured off the train and into the pub.
Present Day Gretna
Gretna has a population of about 2,700 residents and is situated in a pretty area at the mouth of the River Esk.
Gretna Gateway Outlet Village is a plaza of discount factory shops selling brands of sports goods and clothing as well as Thornton's chocolates.
The village has other local shops, hotels, restaurants and businesses catering to the tourist trade.
The town also has a successful football club that formerly played in the Scottish Premier League.
Things to Do Around Gretna
A short trip to Gretna Green to see the World Famous Old Blacksmith's Shop Attractions makes for an interesting outing.
Moffat is a former burgh and spa town famous for its woollen mill, Moffat toffee and the Grey Mare's Tail Waterfall which is 60 metres high.
The site shows it was a sizeable castle and the remains of the moat, drawbridge, towers and walls make this an interesting place to visit, managed by Historic Scotland.
Those looking for more energetic ways to explore around Gretna will enjoy Sustrans, the National Cycle Network which passes near the village.
Its network has 6,000 miles of walking and cycling trails.
Share this page
Self Catering
Days Out in Gretna
-
-
Carlisle Castle (8 Miles)*
-
Tullie House Museum & Art Gallery (8 Miles)*
-
Carlisle Cathedral (8 Miles)*
-
Thomas Carlyle's Birthplace (9 Miles)*
-
Carlisle Race Course (10 Miles)*
-
Savings Banks Museum (13 Miles)*
-
Talkin Tarn Country Park (14 Miles)*
-
Caerlaverock Castle (17 Miles)*
-
Birdoswald Roman Fort (18 Miles)*
Places to Visit near Gretna
-
Port Carlisle (6 Miles)*
-
Carlisle (9 Miles)*
-
Thursby (11 Miles)*
-
Wetheral (12 Miles)*
-
Wigton (12 Miles)*
-
Brampton (13 Miles)*
-
Silloth-on-Solway (15 Miles)*
-
Hightae (15 Miles)*
-
Newcastleton (16 Miles)*
-
Caldbeck (16 Miles)*
Also near Gretna |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||