Gretna, Dumfries and Galloway facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gretna
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 Gretna
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| Population | 3,110 (2020) |
| OS grid reference | NY320671 |
| Council area | |
| Lieutenancy area | |
| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | GRETNA |
| Postcode district | DG16 |
| Dialling code | 01461 |
| Police | Dumfries and Galloway |
| Fire | Dumfries and Galloway |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| EU Parliament | Scotland |
| UK Parliament |
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| Scottish Parliament |
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Gretna (Scottish Gaelic: Greatna) is a town in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. It was originally part of the historic county of Dumfriesshire. The town is very close to the border between Scotland and England. It's also near the mouth of the River Esk.
Gretna is about 22 miles (35 km) east-south-east of Dumfries. It is also 8 miles (13 km) east of Annan. The town is 10 miles (16 km) north-west of Carlisle in England.
Contents
History of Gretna
What Does "Gretna" Mean?
The name Gretna means "place at the gravelly hill." It comes from old English words. Greot means "grit" or "gravel." Hoh means "hill-spur."
The Lochmaben Stone is a large stone monument. It stands in a field near the Sark river. This stone was a traditional meeting place. It marked the border between England and Scotland.
Gretna as a Customs Post
Before 1707, England and Scotland were separate kingdoms. Gretna was a customs post back then. This meant it was a place where taxes were collected. These taxes were on things like cattle moving across the border. The Gretna customs post started in 1612. A special road was built in 1619. This road helped move cattle from Scotland to markets in England.
Why Gretna is Famous for Marriages
Gretna became very famous in 1753. This was because of a new law in England. The law was called Lord Hardwicke's Marriage Act. It said that young people under 21 needed their parents' permission to marry. This law did not apply in Scotland. In Scotland, boys could marry at 14 and girls at 12. They did not need their parents' permission.
So, many young couples from England who wanted to marry without permission would run away. They would travel to Scotland. Gretna was often the first Scottish village they reached. This made Gretna a popular place for quick marriages. The English law was changed in 1849.
Gretna in World War I
During World War I, a large factory was built near Gretna. It was called HM Factory, Gretna. This factory made cordite, which is a type of explosive. It supplied ammunition for British forces. The factory was so big that it helped the town of Gretna grow.
Getting Around Gretna
Train Travel
In the 1840s, several railway companies built lines around Gretna. This led to three different train stations named "Gretna."
The first station was called "Gretna." It opened in 1843. Later, it was renamed Gretna Green railway station. This station closed in 1965. However, a new station opened nearby in 1993. Today, this station is part of the Glasgow South Western Line. A new platform was added in 2009.
Other stations were just over the border in England. One was Gretna (Caledonian) railway station. It opened in 1847. Another was Gretna (Border Union) railway station. It opened in 1861. Both of these stations are now closed.
Road Travel
A military road was built in 1763. It connected Gretna to Portpatrick. This road later became part of the A75 road to Stranraer. The old road between Gretna and Annan is now the B721 road.
The main road through Gretna is the A74(M) motorway. This road connects Scotland and England. In 2008, a 6-mile (10 km) section of the road was upgraded. It became a modern three-lane motorway.
Sports in Gretna
Gretna is known for its football teams. Gretna F.C. was once the town's main football club. They even played in the Scottish Premier League in 2007–2008. A new club, Gretna F.C. 2008, now plays in Gretna.
There are also amateur football teams in the town. AFC Gretna is one team. They play in the Carlisle City Sunday League. Another team is Border Towns United. They were formed in 2022 and also play in the same league.
Gretna Green: The Marriage Village
Nearby Gretna Green is very famous. It is traditionally linked to couples who elope. This is because Scottish marriage laws were more relaxed than English laws. Because of this history, "Gretna" has become a term for a place where people can get married quickly and easily.
Shopping in Gretna
Gretna has a shopping center called Caledonia Park. It used to be known as Gretna Gateway Outlet Village. It is located on the east side of the town.
Gretna in the Media
Television News
Local TV news programs cover Gretna. These include:
- BBC Reporting Scotland from Glasgow.
- ITV News Lookaround from Gateshead.
- BBC Look North from Newcastle.
Radio Stations
You can listen to several radio stations in Gretna:
- BBC Radio Scotland on 94.7 FM.
- BBC Radio Cumbria on 95.6 FM.
- Greatest Hits Radio Dumfries & Galloway on 103.0 FM.
Newspapers
The local newspaper for Gretna is The Dumfries Courier. It is published every Friday.
See also
In Spanish: Gretna (Escocia) para niños
