Walking With Wade

Join us for a special event with author George Reynolds, author of 'Walking With Wade', on Sunday 22 September at 6:30pm.

General George Wade, appointed by George I as Commander-in-Chief of His Majesty’s Forces in Scotland in 1724, was given the highest individual responsibility for all security matters within the Highlands of Scotland. One of his immediate priorities was the policing of the Highland clans against any further uprisings and the building of 4 military roads (and possibly a 5th), to allow the rapid mobilization of government troops to any trouble spots within the Highlands. Totaling 250 miles and the construction of approximately 50 bridges, Wade’s military roads were built between the fortified strongholds of Fort William, Fort George, Fort Augustus and Ruthven Barracks. 

The author, a dedicated Wade aficionado, has dedicated the last 5 years to walking these military roads to produce a comprehensive and accurate map on what remains of Wade’s old road network. The author has trampled through boggy ground and dense vegetation to follow the exact routes as much as possible on what remains of Wade’s roads through the Highlands. No other previous publication on this subject has described the military roads in such finer detail.  So, whether you are an avid Wade fan too or are simply content to read my adventures from your armchair, please come with me back into history and follow in the footsteps of the likes of Bonnie Prince Charlie and his Jacobite army, government troops chasing or fleeing them, or travelers making use of the new routes through the Highland glens.

July 2024 commemorates the 300th anniversary when Wade first arrived in Scotland to commence his road and bridge building plans. What a great way to celebrate this first pioneer of road building who undoubtedly opened the Highlands for travel and commercial purposes from the early 18th century to the present day.