1724 – General Wade Appointed

Field-Marshal George Wade – Attributed to Johan van Diest

The man credited in the British National Anthem with the ability to frustrate and crush rebellious Scots is also the man who brought the first proper roads to the Highlands.

Major-General George Wade was Commander-in-Chief of North Britain from 1724 until 1740, during which time he had military routes across the Highlands improved by building two hundred and forty miles of road and forty bridges.

Among these achievement were the roads negotiating the Great Glen, Corrieyairack Pass and the Aberfeldy Tay Bridge.