Ayr – Part 1 of Our Scottish 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Adventure

Gretna Green, Crawick Multiverse & Savoy Park

Our Scottish adventure kicked off in the most iconic way possible: crossing the border through Gretna Green.

I’d always heard about Gretna Green from my mum, stories of couples dashing over the border to elope when marriage laws in England were stricter. And it turns out, those stories are very real.

Gretna Green became famous for its “runaway marriages,” where local blacksmiths (often referred to as Anvil Priests) carried out legally binding ceremonies over an anvil. That’s where the phrase “tying the knot” comes from 🔨💍
For many couples, it was a romantic act of defiance and true love… although, in some cases, it did mean very rushed decisions. Over time it became more commercialised, but the romance, drama, and history are still very much part of the place.

We had a lovely wander around the site, explored the small maze 🌿, and took a few cute photos. It’s a really easy stop if you’re travelling north or south.

Good to know at Gretna Green:

🐶 Dog-friendly areas (including the famous Blacksmiths Shop)
☕ Cafés and gift shops on site
🚻 Public toilets available
🅿️ Easy parking just off the main road

If you’re visiting with a dog, it’s worth checking their FAQs before you go, as access can change slightly depending on the area.

🌌 Crawick Multiverse – A Brilliant Leg-Stretch Stop

Next up, we stopped at Crawick Multiverse, and honestly… this place is such a hidden gem.

Crawick Multiverse is a land art installation built on a former open-cast coal mine, designed around themes of cosmology, space, and the universe 🌍✨. Think giant earthworks, pathways, and sculpted “hills” that you can climb and wander over.

It’s very dog-friendly, which made it perfect for stretching our legs (and paws 🐾). There is a small entry fee, but it’s well worth it for something a bit different and unexpected.

Facilities at Crawick Multiverse:

🐕 Dogs welcome
🚻 Toilets at the main entrance
☕ Small refreshment kiosk
🗑️ Plenty of bins around the site
👟 Great if you want a short walk with a bit of a climb

It’s not a huge place, but it’s ideal for a relaxed stop on a longer journey.

🏨 Ayr – Savoy Park

We then headed to Ayr, where we stayed at Savoy Park – a beautiful old hall with loads of character.

The hotel is very dog-friendly 🐶💛 The staff were incredibly welcoming and friendly, and the whole place had a calm, relaxed feel.

It’s only a short walk to the green and the beach 🌊, and I absolutely loved their garden – such a peaceful spot. We also ate in the restaurant, which was lovely and felt like a proper treat after a day of travelling.

Why Savoy Park worked so well for us: