ONE of the most iconic venues in the Scottish borders is set for a transformation.

The Famous Blacksmiths Shop, situated at the heart of Gretna Green, is the world-famous, historic home of the anvil wedding and has been at the centre of runaway love since the Marriage Act of 1754.

The venue has held weddings for over 260 years and has recently undergone a £1.5million makeover.

Due to re-open on Thursday, April 28, the Shop will include a brand-new museum experience.

Named ‘The Famous Blacksmiths Gretna Green Experience’, visitors will be taken on a journey of true love, viewing showcases of historic weddings to explorations of what it means to get married today, visitors will get the chance to add their own love story to the wedding wall.

Also set to launch is a new wedding room, named The Forge.

Isabel Rhodes, CEO of the Gretna Green family estate, said: “We are the home of runaway love – what could be more romantic?

"We wanted to fully tell the fascinating story of our destination and the recent investment is our way of paying tribute to that.”

Susan Houston, family director of the Gretna Green family estate, said: “Since the family took on the estate in 1885, we have built a successful visitor attraction whilst maintaining the compelling appeal of forbidden love and romance.

"We offer something very unique with the abundance of history.”

Lucy Houston, family director, added: “The Famous Blacksmiths Gretna Green Experience is a huge milestone in our history and we are excited to welcome everyone so that they too can experience the world’s greatest love story.”