Gretna Green, Sark Bridge c.1955
Photo ref: G163014
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Photo ref: G163014
Photo of Gretna Green, Sark Bridge c.1955

More about this scene

Gretna stands on the Scottish/English border, and so it became popular for runaway marriages of English couples following the passage of Lord Hardwicke's act in 1754. The act abolished irregular marriages in England but not Scotland. Once across the bridge, runaways from England could be married very quickly in accordance with 18th-century Scots law, which required neither banns nor a licence.

An extract from Scotland Photographic Memories.

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Scotland Photographic Memories

Scotland Photographic Memories

The photo 'Gretna Green, Sark Bridge c1955' appears in this book.

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A Selection of Memories from Gretna Green

For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our website to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was, prompted by the photographs in our archive. Here are some from Gretna Green

Sparked a Memory for you?

If this has sparked a memory, why not share it here?

We got married here in September 2008, I had been looking at pictures on the internet for months and when we arrived, it was like driving into one of them.  Gretna Green has a feeling about it, it's very small and there's not a lot to do apart from get married, but it just felt lovely being there, it's a very sweet place and I was sad to leave.  The Blacksmith's Shop was beautiful, very romantic and it ...see more
My memory doesn't go back that far as I was born in 1952 but I have a special reason for seeking anyone who knows this person and would be glad to hear from anyone who can tell me anything about him. His birth certificate says that he was born at The Old Toll Bar , Sarkbridge on 27.01.1932. Many thanks, Heather Trevorrow.