Gretna Green cross-border marriages between England and Scotland become more difficult

For decades, differences in marriage laws between Scotland and England has encouraged eloping couples, especially those under the age of English parental consent, to reach the Scottish border town of Gretna and immediately to marry. A new law dictating that any marriages can only take place between people who have been residents of Scotland for twenty-one days comes into effect after this day and puts a large impediment in the way of these "border marriages." (By John Osborne)