One of Scotland's most iconic wedding destinations is to undergo an £8 million revamp as it transforms itself into a "true destination".
The multi-million pound redevelopment project is set to enhance visitor experiences while preserving the rich heritage of the Famous Blacksmiths Shop site at Headless Cross in Gretna Green.
The Famous Blacksmiths Shop has over 260 years of history and heritage, joining couples since 1754, and is now an award-winning wedding destination, with a five star visitor attraction, shopping, two four-star hotels – Smiths and Gretna Hall – and the Old Toll Bar in Gretna – the First and Last House in Scotland.
Through five generations of ownership, since 1885, the family-owned and operated business has been at the heart of Gretna Green and Dumfries and Galloway local history for over 130 years.
The £8m major revamp of the Famous Blacksmiths Shop will include a variety of new and expanded facilities, for couples, families, and visitors alike.
READ MORE: Luxury Scottish hotel wins global wedding award for fifth year in row
Among the highlights of the project are a new wedding entrance, a real Blacksmiths shop, upgraded catering facilities, improved restroom facilities, expanded family and children’s activities and a live storyteller, who will share "the rich history and romantic tales of Gretna Green, bringing the heritage of the Blacksmiths shop to life".
The grounds of the Famous Blacksmiths Shop will also undergo significant landscaping improvements, including the extension of a sculpture garden, providing a more picturesque and welcoming environment for weddings and visitors.
John Holliday, executive chair of Gretna Green, said: “We are thrilled to announce this significant investment in the future of the Gretna Green Famous Blacksmiths Shop site.
“We are here to make people happy. We do this daily for wedding guests and curious tourists.
“This development reflects our goal of forging a magical Scottish experience based on love and romance; one wedding, one visitor at a time.
“It also reflects our ongoing commitment to preserving the heritage of our beloved site while ensuring it remains a vibrant and attractive destination for generations to come. Whether it’s for weddings, tourism, or family outings and celebrations, we want everyone to have a memorable experience at Gretna Green.”
The redevelopment project comes weeks after Gretna Green won "Best Visitor Attraction" at Scottish Thistle Regional Awards. Winning the award now places Gretna Green in the running for the Scottish Thistle Awards National Final in November, where they will compete against Scotland’s best attractions.
John Holliday, Chairman of Gretna Green, expressed his delight at the recognition: “We are honoured to receive this prestigious award, which is a reflection of the passion, commitment, and excellence of our entire team. At Gretna Green, we strive to create exceptional and memorable experiences for all our visitors, and this recognition reinforces our dedication to providing world-class hospitality.”
This month also saw Gretna Green named in the top three destinations globally for couples seeking to elope, beating off competition from Spain, France and Italy.
To crown the world's top elopement destinations, experts looked at Google search results, Instagram posts, the cost of marriage certificates, hotel prices and weather data, along with the data surrounding the most publicised celebrity elopements.
READ MORE: Weddings – for richer perhaps, but more likely to be for poorer
Las Vegas took the top spot, followed by the Californian city of San Diego.
Gretna Green is the marriage capital of the UK, facilitating nearly 4,000 ceremonies a year - 3% of which are weddings from overseas, the US, Canada and Australasia. It has appeared in films, TV shows like Coronation Street and Downton Abbey, and was a central part in Jane Austen’s book Pride and Prejudice.
The Famous Blacksmiths Gretna Green Experience, the UK's first immersive visitor attraction dedicated to love and marriage, was created in 2022 following a £1 million investment.
The £8m redevelopment project is set to commence in November, with the first phase of improvements expected to be completed by spring 2026.
Gretna Green said that visitors can expect minimal disruption during the construction period, with careful planning in place to maintain access to key areas of the site.
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