Old Military Road, Glen Croe, Scotland
Construction of a road from Dumbarton to Inveraray was initiated under Caulfeild’s command in 1743 but was then interrupted by the rebellion of 1745. Its 44 miles (71 km) which took it via the western side of Loch Lomond, Tarbet, Arrochar and Glen Croe were not then completed until 1749. A stone seat was erected at the summit of the 860-foot-high (260 m) pass at the head of Glen Croe bidding travellers to Rest and be thankful, hence the modern name. Subsequent maintenance was undertaken by the 93rd Regiment, the Sutherland Highlanders until in 1814 the route was handed over to the civilian authorities. William Wordsworth was later to write of this road:
Doubling and doubling with laborious walk,
Who, that has gained at length the wished-for height,
This brief simple way side call can slight,
And rests not thankful?
The route of this military road is now broadly followed by the A82 and A83 roads, partly on the original line, partly parallel to it. Where the old military road runs parallel to the new road it is sometimes used as a diversion route.
