It is the first town past the Scottish border, and the marriage laws in Scotland used to be different (younger age without parental permission, no need to get banns published so far in advance, etc), so English couples who were not allowed to marry would elope there to get married. It may even be where Lydia and Wickham go in Pride and Prejudice. Eloping to Gretna Green is proverbial. I can't remember when it stopped being a trope, but I shall ask around. I'll also find some more examples in literature, if people are interested.
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timeasmymeasure
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