Portrait of a wedding planner

Stuart Thompson is a former civil servant turned wedding coordinator at Anvil Hall in Gretna. He is passionate about the local history of the area around Gretna Green. Here he shares his experiences of the locale and his favourite places to visit.

“I came from a farming background, but very soon I became immersed in the local history of the place,” says Stuart Thompson, wedding coordinator at Anvil Hall in Gretna Green.

The area around Gretna Green appeals to him greatly. And Stuart points out its accessibility from the north of England.

“I get out as much as I can. It’s a beautiful area. The scenery is absolutely gorgeous and you’re on the doorstep for Carlisle, the Lake District, and, of course, to the north and New Galloway as well.

He enjoys a visit to the Border towns. “Each is so different with its various time customs and traditions, lying at the very heart of their communities. Gorgeous rolling hills with very open countryside- so picturesque and peaceful – and tranquil valleys”, he says.

He points to the wealth of experiences to be had in the area which is history rich, with old abbeys, textile mills, stately homes and country estates to visit. And as an area of captivating, unforgettable beauty he points to the more than 1000 miles of dedicated walking routes, and cycle paths waiting to be discovered.

“I was always very, very interested in the local history of Gretna, and in particular runaway marriages!” So when the opportunity came up as a wedding coordinator at Gretna, Stuart jumped at the chance.

During the busy season, he and his team can be handling anything up to 80 weddings a month and he loves his job. “It’s joyful work. Every couple comes with their own story. And this is a beautiful venue, a brick built building characteristic of others in the area and constructed between 1916 and 1918.”

The Devil’s Porridge Museum

An earlier stint in the civil service meant Stuart knew about the history of the munitions factories that were based near Gretna in the First World War. With some colleagues he helped to set up what is now The Devil’s Porridge Museum.

“Basically, Devil’s Porridge Museum tells the story of Her Majesty’s Factory Gretna, and it was the greatest munitions factory on Earth, mixing cordite and explosives. The factory was nine miles long, straddling the Scottish-English border and it produced more cordite than all the other UK factories combined.

The museum’s rather unusual name comes from author Arthur Conan Doyle who on a visit to the factory commented how the cordite being produced looked like “porridge of a devilish sort”.

Small town revival

Many of the small towns in the area have reinvented themselves, offering quirky little shops, which again, Stuart believes are a pleasure and offer visitors a difference from the usual high street, such as in Annan. Locally, Stuart points out there have been major changes for entertainment and shopping experiences as well with Caledonia Park Designer Outlet offering a varied range of options for visitors.

And people are clearly attracted to what is on offer as they come from England, Wales, Ireland and further afield.
“I invite anybody to come across the border. Explore the area, take in the scenery, enjoy the traditions, the cultures and the events that are happening, whether it be an agricultural show, car rally, walking or cycling. There’s lots to immerse yourself in when you’re coming across to Dumfries & Galloway.”

Stuart’s Favourite Five

The Globe Inn, Dumfries – This historic inn, known for its association with Robert Burns is also an award-winning, Michelin recognised restaurant with a bar and private dining room. Great cuisine and you can soak up the atmosphere where Burns sat and wrote his poetry.

Annandale Distillery, Annan – This recently revived distillery offers visitors a whisky tasting tour and has a wonderful cafe with mouth watering home made scones, cakes and a great selection of food plus a gift shop offering different gifts to the usual tourist offering.

Moffat – Set in the heart of southern Scotland, this small vibrant town offers a tremendous Scottish welcome and has a rich heritage and history revolving around sheep and shepherding. Today the town has a thriving cultural and musical scene, a great selection of eating venues, shops, art galleries and a small theatre in addition to plenty of organised events throughout the year, such as the autumnal Walking Festival and the Golden Eagle Festival.

Gilnockie Tower & Langholm – Take a visit to Gilnockie Tower, the seat of Clan Armstrong with its strong history of the Border Reivers and its modern association with the first man on the moon, Neil Armstrong. Following on, Stuart recommends a walk in Langholm, along the river Esk, which is a great salmon river, or walking up through Kirk Wynd leading to the moors where you can witness an abundance of wildlife.

Castle Douglas – This 18th century town is designated as Food Town, so you won’t leave hungry! Nearby is Threave Gardens which is a must visit, along with the spectacular 14th century Threave castle with its fascinating past. Bird watchers will delight in the variety of species that can be seen in the hides at the wildfowl trust.

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