Wade's Military Roads: Taming the Highlands
Contents
"Had you seen these roads before they were made, you would lift up your hands and bless General Wade." So goes a famous couplet. After the Jacobite rising of 1715, the British government sent General George Wade to the Highlands to restore order, and between 1725 and 1737 he built around 250 miles of military roads and some 40 bridges, linking the forts of the Great Glen with the Lowlands. Ironically, the roads helped Bonnie Prince Charlie's army in 1745. Wade's successor, William Caulfeild, built many more. This card tells the story of the roads that opened up the Highlands.
TL;DR
- established General George Wade (1673–1748) was appointed commander-in-chief in Scotland in 1724 after reporting on the state of the Highlands following the 1715 rising.
- established Between 1725 and 1737, his troops built around 250 miles of roads and about 40 bridges, linking forts at Fort William, Fort Augustus and Fort George (Inverness) with Perth, Crieff and Dunkeld.
- established Wade's most famous bridge is the Tay Bridge at Aberfeldy (1733), designed by William Adam. His most dramatic road crossed the Corrieyairack Pass.
- established In 1745 the Jacobite army used Wade's roads, including the Corrieyairack, to move quickly.
- established Major William Caulfeild continued road building after Wade, eventually constructing far more mileage than Wade himself, though the roads are often all credited to Wade.
Key Facts
- General
- George Wade (1673–1748)
- Appointed
- 1724
- Roads built
- About 250 miles, 1725–1737
- Bridges
- About 40
- Famous bridge
- Tay Bridge, Aberfeldy, 1733, by William Adam
- Famous road
- Corrieyairack Pass, 1731
- Successor
- William Caulfeild
- Irony
- Jacobites used the roads in 1745
A Note on Claims and Evidence
Each major claim carries one of three labels. established means supported by primary records, official bodies or several independent reliable sources. shared means the core fact is sound but sources disagree on details, dates or interpretation. traditional means widely repeated but not traceable to a primary or independent source.
Mileage figures vary slightly between sources. Many roads called "Wade roads" were actually built by Caulfeild. The origin of the famous couplet is uncertain.
Timeline
Jacobite rising.
Wade reports on the Highlands and is appointed commander-in-chief.
Road building begins.
Corrieyairack road completed.
Tay Bridge at Aberfeldy built.
Wade's main programme ends.
William Caulfeild builds many more roads.
Jacobite army uses Wade's roads.
Details
Wade's mission
established After the 1715 Jacobite rising, the government worried about the Highlands' lawlessness and support for the Stuarts. In 1724 General George Wade reported that the lack of roads made it almost impossible for troops to move quickly through the mountains. He was appointed commander-in-chief in Scotland and given the task of disarming the clans, raising Highland companies (the origin of the Black Watch), and building roads.
The roads
established Between 1725 and 1737, Wade's soldiers built around 250 miles of road, about 16 feet wide, linking the garrisons of the Great Glen, Fort William, Fort Augustus and Fort George at Inverness, with the Lowlands at Crieff, Dunkeld and Perth. The roads were built with stone foundations and gravel surfaces, and soldiers working on them were paid extra.
Bridges
established Wade's roads required around 40 bridges. The finest is the Tay Bridge at Aberfeldy, completed in 1733 to a design by William Adam, with five arches and decorative obelisks. It remains in use.
The Corrieyairack
established The road over the Corrieyairack Pass, completed in 1731, linked Fort Augustus with the Spey valley, climbing to around 770 metres by a series of zigzags. It is now a popular walking route.
Irony and legacy
established In 1745 Bonnie Prince Charlie's army used Wade's roads, including the Corrieyairack, to move quickly south. After Culloden, road building continued under Major William Caulfeild, who built far more miles than Wade. Many stretches survive as walking routes, and modern roads follow some of the old lines.
shared The famous couplet blessing General Wade is often quoted, but its author is unknown.
Did You Know?
- Wade built around 250 miles of road.
- His Tay Bridge at Aberfeldy is still in use.
- The Jacobites used Wade's roads in 1745.
- William Caulfeild built more roads than Wade.
- The Corrieyairack road climbs by zigzags.
FAQ
1Who was General Wade?
A British general who built military roads in the Highlands from 1725.
2How many miles did he build?
About 250, plus around 40 bridges.
3Why were the roads built?
To allow troops to move quickly and control the Highlands.
4Did the Jacobites use them?
Yes, in 1745.
5Can I walk Wade's roads?
Yes, many stretches survive as paths.
Sources and Further Reading
Scholarly/Critical
- J. B. Salmond, Wade in Scotland (Moray Press, 1934)
Further reading
- William Taylor, The Military Roads in Scotland (David & Charles, 1976)
Caveats: Myths and Disputed Claims
- Do not credit all Highland military roads to Wade.
- Do not attribute the couplet to a named author.
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