ShoppingOld Blacksmith's Shop > Review
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pretty good
Disappointing
jessieleo (56)
United Kingdom
When we visited Scotland a coach tour there were optional additional tours. Our driver had some spare time when we were going home and he asked if we would like to visit Gretna Green. As one, eighty odd passengers, said 'Yes Please' All of us hade heard of Gretna Green and knew at least a little of it's history.
Gretna Green in Scotland is where couples eloped to get married many years ago. Some still do but years ago I think there was a more of a busy trade, Couples who were classed as too young in England and needed parents consents to wed could run away to Gretna Green and get married. The whole area had an attractive, exciting history which we all eagerly looked forward to discovering.
Arriving at the Gretna Green visitors centre we found we were a little way from Gretna Green. The flat area is easily accessible and there is ample parking. However the whole area was over run with tourists and there were many coaches parked. I inagine in high season it will be very busy.
The outside of the shops are designed in keeping with the area. However many of them are nothing special and simply sell tourist goods. There is an exhibition centre and it is possible to visit the Blacksmith's shop. This is where weddings took place, over the Smithy's forge. Outside there is an arch representing a horseshoe where you can have your photo taken. Depite being married thirty odd years, at the time we visited, we still had a couple of friends take our photo. One for the scrapbook with some novelty value.
However the whole area is overdeveloped. The surrounding countryside is pretty but the visitor centre is just like any old shopping area near to a motorway. There are food outlets and toilet facilities here. The area is laid out quite boringly and there seems to be nothing very authentic. I can safely say that no-one from the coach was impressed. We all felt a little dissappointed and would rather have had a look at the Gretna village, despite our driver telling us that there is nothing there.
The visitors centre is free to visit.
Gretna Green in Scotland is where couples eloped to get married many years ago. Some still do but years ago I think there was a more of a busy trade, Couples who were classed as too young in England and needed parents consents to wed could run away to Gretna Green and get married. The whole area had an attractive, exciting history which we all eagerly looked forward to discovering.
Arriving at the Gretna Green visitors centre we found we were a little way from Gretna Green. The flat area is easily accessible and there is ample parking. However the whole area was over run with tourists and there were many coaches parked. I inagine in high season it will be very busy.
The outside of the shops are designed in keeping with the area. However many of them are nothing special and simply sell tourist goods. There is an exhibition centre and it is possible to visit the Blacksmith's shop. This is where weddings took place, over the Smithy's forge. Outside there is an arch representing a horseshoe where you can have your photo taken. Depite being married thirty odd years, at the time we visited, we still had a couple of friends take our photo. One for the scrapbook with some novelty value.
However the whole area is overdeveloped. The surrounding countryside is pretty but the visitor centre is just like any old shopping area near to a motorway. There are food outlets and toilet facilities here. The area is laid out quite boringly and there seems to be nothing very authentic. I can safely say that no-one from the coach was impressed. We all felt a little dissappointed and would rather have had a look at the Gretna village, despite our driver telling us that there is nothing there.
The visitors centre is free to visit.
Comments to this review
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frankiecesca, 09.11.2007 13:35 o'clock
What a shame! I have always wondered what this place would be like too!
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