Corrieyairack Pass

The Corrieyairack Pass (Scottish Gaelic - Màm Choire Ghearraig) is an 770m (2526 ft) high pass in the Scottish Highlands at grid reference NN417986.

This pass would be relatively obscure were it not for General Wade's military road built over it in 1731, between Fort Augustus in the Great Glen to the north and Melgarve in Strath Spey in the south. This path almost became the site of a major battle in the Jacobite Rising of 1745, when Prince Charles Edward Stuart encamped on the at the height of the pass, and the English commander approached from the south to quell the rebellion. The Government forces retreated due to the strongly entrenched position of the Jacobite Forces.

The Highland Council state it is not maintained as a public road, and not suitable for use as one, so advise against using motor vehicles on it ^[1]. The road surface is made of stone, though it is now very eroded and damaged. It is now used primarily by hikers and mountain bikers, as well as access for workers maintaing the adjacent electricity pylon line.

The military road is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument.^[2]

References

1. ^ http://www.highland.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/BAC9FCE5-9819-44E5-AB54-687E941908A7/0/CorrieyairackPass.pdf
2. ^ http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/committees/enterprise/inquiries/rei/ec04-reis-highlandcouncil.htm scottish.parliament.uk

Coordinates: 57°03′04″N 4°36′41″W / 57.05119°N 4.61136°W / 57.05119; -4.61136