Every couple wants to make their reception memorable - but it's sometimes hard to come up with "out-of-the-box" ideas! Here at Smiths Hotel and Gretna Green Famous Blacksmiths Shop, we've spotted a number of highly creative receptions set up whilst we've been popping to and fro recently. We thought we'd share these with you - could trigger a brainwave or two, don't you think?

On one of her recent business trips our head of Sales and Marketing, Lynda, was on the train next to an older couple seated across the table from one another. After a little while, something rather unique began to unfold next to her...and, since Lynda loves regaling stories of romance to us all here in the office, we thought we'd let her tell the story herself...

Many of you will instantly recognise this familiar face as Frank, one of our much loved Blacksmiths Guides! From greeting visitors to calming nervous brides and grooms, to performing blessings and taking tours around the exhibition, Frank wears many hats as part of his role. But who is this easily recognisable figure eagerly sought out by couples upon their return to Gretna Green and the Famous Blacksmiths Shop?

Each year thousands of couples make the journey here to Gretna Green to get 'married over the anvil' and it's a tradition which is entrenched in history as far back as 1754 when English lords voted to change the marriage act. For couples in England this meant they had to be over 21 and gain their parents' permission to be married. Scotland however did not adopt this law and continued on its way with irregular marriages which in essence meant you could marry anywhere as a declaration in front of only 2 witnesses.

Still this does not really answer about the anvil question though, or does it...?

Who knew there was so much involved in collecting salt and pepper sets! We recently got quite a few pairs into stock here at Gretna Green Famous Blacksmiths Shop ...which got us thinking about these unique items and those who collect them!

Can you trace your family history back to the Scottish Borders region with a family name of Moffat, Bell, Graham, Irvine or even Bates, Little, Thomson, Glendenning, Carruthers, Johnstone, Jardine or Latimer?? You may be descended from the families of the infamous Border Reivers....

Happy Genealogy Day! Really the 8th of March is Genealogy Day! We spotted programmes such as Heir Hunters on the telly this past week and it's got us thinking about the many stories that we hear every week from visitors who have a family connection here to the Gretna Green Famous Blacksmiths Shop!

If you've swung by Gretna Green, you may have spotted a tall dark-haired woman scurrying around the shop.......

Meet Linda O'Brien, our retail manager here at Gretna Green Famous Blacksmiths Shop.

Meet Slav...

There's been a wee bit of excitement and a buzz in the air around the Gretna Green Famous Blacksmith Shop and Smiths Hotel since Saturday!

We can hear you wondering why?