A PIPER at a popular wedding location for Carlisle couples is celebrating 60 years of piping. 

2024 marks 60 years of piping for Alan Marshall who has been playing his part in weddings and anvils weddings at Gretna Green for the majority of his adult life.

Alan's piping journey began when he was a child when he would watch and listen to his older brother Billy Marshall play the pipes, with Billy teaching him the crafts and starting his piping journey.

News and Star: He said: "Billy taught me everything.

"I just learned, looking at his fingers. I don't read music. I just played by ear, Billy taught me all the little tunes."

Billy was the lead piper at Gretna Green until his passing in 1999 and Alan stepped in to keep the tradition at the historic venue alive.

Throughout his years as the lead piper at the wedding venue which has offered historic weddings to families across the region since 1754, Alan has played at countless weddings and reflected on reaching his 60th anniversary as well as the memories he has made along the way.

He said: "Reaching the milestone of 60 years of piping at Gretna Green, it's been a lifetime really. It means a lot to me, a lot of happy memories.

News and Star: "There's not another job like it, really.

"I've had some great times, met some good friends and people come back for an anniversary and see me after five years or ten years and they are surprised."

"And when I see the couples coming back I'm quite delighted because there's something about this place that draws people back, whether it's the charm, the history."

John Holliday, chairman of Gretna Green, also spoke with admiration of Alan after he reached his 60th piping anniversary.

He said: "Celebrating 60 years with Alan is incredible. He's not just a piper; he's a cherished part of our team here at Gretna Green. His music brings smiles to everyone he meets."