General George Wade

Field-Marshal George Wade, 1673 - 1748. Commander-in-chief in Scotland, by Johan van Diest (c.1731)
PG 2416 © National Galleries of Scotland

This painting shows Wade standing before his most spectacular feat of construction, the Corrieyairack Pass (completed 1731) on the road from Fort Augustus to Dalwhinnie and Ruthven.

George Wade was a soldier and a road builder. From 1724 to 1740 he was Commander in Chief of the army in North Britain, and during this period he built 240 miles of military roads to open up the Highlands, many of which are still in use.

Wade had garrisons built with good Hanoverian names - Fort William, Fort Augustus and Fort George. He made new roads across the area and 30 bridges over major rivers - including a five-arch bridge over the Tay at Aberfeldy that is still in use.

Wade's involvement in quelling the 1745 Jacobite Rising, when he was called back from retirement at the age of 72, was minor and inglorious. His troops failed to intercept the Jacobite army on its campaign south to Derby or, even more amazingly, on its dejected return north to Scotland.

Born: 1673, Ireland
Died: 14 March 1748

Father: Jerome Wade
Years of Service: 1690-1748