Southern Scotland - Scotland - page 343

ply in Scotland, where a simple declaration in front of a pair of witnesses would suffice. As the first village in
Scotland, Gretna Green's border location made it the most popular venue for eloping couples to get hitched.
Locals competed for the incoming trade, and marriages were performed by just about anyone who could round
up a couple of witnesses from the nearest pub. One legendary Gretna vow-taker was the local blacksmith, who be-
came known as the 'Anvil Priest'. In 1856 eloping was made more difficult when a law was passed obliging
couples to have spent at least 3 weeks in Scotland prior to tying the knot, but Gretna Green remained popular. And
it still is: some 5000 couples annually take or reaffirm their marriage vows in the village. If you want to get mar-
ried over the famous anvil in the Old Blacksmith's Shop at Gretna Green, check out Gretna Green Weddings
( www.gretnaweddings.co.uk ) .
MOFFAT
POP 2135
Moffat lies in wild, hilly country near the upper reaches of Annandale. It's really enjoyed
by the older brigade and is a popular tourist-coach spot. The former spa town is a centre
for the local wool industry, symbolised by the bronze ram statue on High St.
At Moffat Mill ( 01683-220134; www.ewm-store.co.uk ; admission free;
9am-5pm) , near the tourist office, there's a moribund weaving exhibition within a sizeable
retail outlet selling woollens and other Scottish souvenirs. You can find some good spe-
cials on jumpers and the like. There's tourist information here too.
Groom's Cottage ( 01683-220049; Beattock Rd; d £65; ) is a beautifully
presented, self-contained nook with everything you could want for a comfortable stay.
There are self-catering facilities (but breakfast is included). It has good privacy from the
owner's residence, views over green fields and even an orthopaedic bed. It's a stylish job
and very reasonably priced - weekly deals are available too. Look for 'The Lodge' sign
coming in from the M74 - it's on your right before you hit the town centre. This option is
ideally suited to couples.
Flower-decked Buchan Guest House ( 01683-220378;
www.buchanguesthouse.co.uk ; Beechgrove; s/d £38/65; ) is in a quiet central
street. There's a lovely garden and pleasant lounge overlooking the bowling green oppos-
ite. It's cyclist-friendly, with a bike garage out the back. The Moffat House Hotel (
01683-220039; www.moffathouse.co.uk ; High St; s/d £75/109; ) is a noble
creeper-covered 18th-century mansion in the centre of town, offering comfortable beds in
spacious rooms in the main building or an annexe in one of the wings.
There are several buses daily to Edinburgh, Glasgow and Dumfries.