THE CORRIEYAIRICK PASS - LAGGAN TO FORT AUGUSTUS

Garva Bridge, Corrieyarick Pass

Built by General Wade in the 18th Century, this road, which followed a traditional drove route through the high Corrieyairick Pass from Fort Augustus to Laggan allowed for rapid (for those days) troop movements from the main barracks towns of Fort Augustus and Fort William, through to Speyside and southwards to Perth. The road was a superb piece of engineering for the time, and descended from the pass down towards Laggan by a steep zig-zag. The entire line of the road from Melgarve, beyond the Spey dam at Laggan, through to the Fort Augustus end is still much as it was, though deteriorated somewhat through time, and is a popular route for walkers. The road line from Laggan Bridge to Melgarve, passing the Spey Dam and on over Garva Bridge also follows much of the route, apart from that around the dam itself, and Garva Bridge is a splendid example of the engineering of the day. General Wade built a barracks at Garvamore (a mile or so west of the Spey dam, which is still very much in existence - it can easily be recognised by the red tarpaulins which cover the roof at present whilst efforts are made to restore it to some new use - perhaps as a hostel. The barracks, after disuse by the militia, had also served as both a school and a private house before finally becoming empty. The route has for some time been driveable by 4 wheel drive vehicle, but latterly, some parts of the route have been undergoing repair and 4 wheel vehicles have not been permitted.