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Corrieyairack Pass is a military road constructed between Melgarve and Allt Ruadh in Inverness-shire, Scotland. The route crosses challenging high ground, following the natural topography of the Cairngorms where the underlying bedrock comprises felsic igneous rock of Early Devonian age. This ancient geological foundation, formed deep within the earth during the Early Devonian period, creates a landscape of exposed rock and steep slopes that presented significant engineering challenges to road builders.
The military road represents an important piece of infrastructure designed to facilitate troop movement and communication across the Scottish Highlands during the 18th century. Such roads were essential to military strategy in the region following the Jacobite risings. The route was engineered to traverse the Corrieyairack Pass despite the steep terrain and harsh weather conditions characteristic of this elevated terrain.
The monument is protected by Historic Environment Scotland under the reference SM6129, recognising its significance as a surviving example of military road construction. The route remains visible across the landscape today, following the ridge through the pass with evidence of its constructed surface and drainage features. The integration of the road with the natural topography demonstrates the adaptation of engineering techniques to the demanding mountain environment.
Corrieyairack Pass,military road,Melgarve to Allt Ruadh is a scheduled monument protected by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM6129. View the official record →
Corrieyairack Pass is a military road constructed between Melgarve and Allt Ruadh in Inverness-shire, Scotland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM6129.
Corrieyairack Pass,military road,Melgarve to Allt Ruadh is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Historic Environment Scotland — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in Scotland. The official designation reference is SM6129.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Corrieyairack Pass,military road,Allt Ruadh to watershed (2.1 km), Corrieyairack Pass,military road,watershed to Allt Lagan a'Bhainne (4.8 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 14 strands of Corrieyairack Pass,military road,Melgarve to Allt Ruadh's history, each drawn from the record and mapped to the exact spot:
Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.
Corrieyairack Pass,military road,Melgarve to Allt Ruadh stands on Unnamed Igneous Intrusion, Late Silurian To Early Devonian, bedrock that formed in the Early Devonian. The rock here is felsic-rock.