The stone’s original inscription reads: 'Rest and be thankful, 8 miles from Arrochar, 1753'.
The road was commissioned following the 1745 Jacobite Rising to improve troop movement through the Highlands.
The pass served as a crucial stage for horse-drawn coaches traveling toward Inveraray.
The stone was restored in the 20th century to preserve the weathered original lettering.
The valley below, Glen Croe, was carved by glacial activity during the last ice age.
General Wade and his successors built over 250 miles of roads across Scotland to pacify the region.
The Rest and Be Thankful stone commemorates the completion of a military road built by General Wade’s forces in 1753. It sits at the top of a steep, winding pass in the Arrochar Alps, known as the A83, which connects Loch Lomond to the west coast. The original inscription was carved by soldiers of the 24th Regiment of Foot. The site marks the highest point of the historic route through Glen Croe. The name stems from the relief felt by travellers and workers upon reaching the summit after the arduous climb. It is situated within the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park. The area is currently monitored for landslip risks, which occasionally impact the adjacent Old Military Road. The stone remains a significant cultural marker of 18th-century infrastructure development in the Scottish Highlands.
The elevated vantage point within the layby looking down the length of the U-shaped Glen Croe valley.
Use the dedicated gravel layby for parking, as the main road is busy and high-speed.
Bring windproof clothing, as the pass experiences high-altitude weather conditions regardless of the season.
Check local traffic alerts for the A83 before traveling, as road closures for safety work are common.
Attempting to cross the main road on foot during heavy rain or fog, as traffic visibility is extremely poor.
