Situated on the old coach route that linked London and Edinburgh, Gretna Green gained notoriety as the first village across the border from England where young lovers would flee to get married due to Scotland’s marriage laws. Marriages became a lucrative business and one of the most famous marriage venues was the Old Blacksmith’s Shop. Owned by a family business called the Gretna Green Group Ltd that was founded in 1886, the site has now been developed into a popular tourist attraction with a museum, restaurant and heritage shops and still retains the feel and values of a small, family business. The centre now attracts thousands of visitors each year and is one of Scotland’s most-visited tourist attractions.