Rest and Be Thankful – 2025 Status, History & Travel Guide

The A83 Rest and Be Thankful is one of Scotland’s most scenic and strategically important mountain passes, but its frequent landslides have made it a source of recurring disruption. This article provides the latest operational status, a detailed history of the landslide problem, and the origins of its famous name.

Is the Rest and Be Thankful Open Today? (Current A83 Status)

• Landslides are the primary cause of closure, not snow or ice.
• Temporary traffic lights are the current long-term operational solution.
• The name originates from a sign erected by soldiers building the military road in the 1740s–1750s.
• The A83 is a vital link to the Scottish Highlands; closures cause significant detours.
• Debris fences, catch-pits, and slope monitoring are in place but have not eliminated the risk.
• The Scottish Government has committed to ongoing works with no permanent engineering solution yet confirmed.

As of October 2025, the route operates under temporary traffic lights at the Rest and Be Thankful, with no full closure reported. For live updates, consult Traffic Scotland or BEAR Scotland.

What is the Latest News on the A83 Rest and Be Thankful? (2025 Updates)

Why does the Rest and Be Thankful keep closing due to landslides?

The underlying cause is the area’s steep geology combined with heavy rainfall. The slopes consist of unstable debris layers over impermeable bedrock. When intense rain falls—160 mm in 36 hours in one recent case—the ground becomes saturated and fails, sending debris flows across the road. The British Geological Survey notes that older landslide features influence modern events and that instability has shifted upslope over time.

What is the long-term solution for the A83 landslide risk?

Transport Scotland and BEAR Scotland have invested in debris fences, six catch-pits, drainage improvements, and a resilient bund on the Old Military Road diversion since around 2013. Despite these measures, landslides persist. Local campaign groups, including Argyll Conservatives, have urged the Scottish Government to pursue a permanent fix such as a rock shed or a new road alignment. As of the latest available data, no final decision on a permanent engineering solution has been announced, and the project is expected to be multi-year in nature. For a complete background on the challenges and history, see A83 Rest and Be Thankful: Landslide Status, History, Meaning, and Current Status.

What is the Meaning of Rest and Be Thankful? (History and Origins)

Where exactly is the Rest and Be Thankful viewpoint?

The viewpoint sits at the summit of the A83 pass in Glen Croe, Argyll and Bute, at an elevation of 800 feet. It is a popular stopping point for travellers, offering panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. A car park and walking trails are maintained by Forestry and Land Scotland.

Who built the road and coined the phrase?

The military road was constructed between the 1740s and 1750s by soldiers under General George Wade and later Major William Caulfeild. The name “Rest and Be Thankful” comes from a sign erected at the summit where troops would pause and rest after the arduous ascent. Dr. Samuel Johnson and James Boswell passed through in 1773 during their tour of the Highlands and noted the sign in Johnson’s account, “A Journey to the Western Islands of Scotland.”

Is there a Rest and Be Thankful hotel or inn?

Historically, a hotel operated at the pass, but it is now closed. The nearby village of Arrochar has several inns and accommodations for travellers. There is no active pub or hotel at the summit itself today.

What is the history of landslides at the Rest and Be Thankful?

The site has a documented history of major landslide events stretching back to at least 2007, with frequency increasing in subsequent years. The following timeline summarises the most significant incidents based on reports from BEAR Scotland, the British Geological Survey, and official sources.

1. 1740s–1750s — Road built by soldiers under General Wade and Major Caulfeild. The “Rest and Be Thankful” sign is erected at the summit.
2. 1773 — Dr. Samuel Johnson and James Boswell pass through the pass, noting the sign in Johnson’s published travel account.
3. 28 October 2007 — A 400-tonne landslide blocks the road. Full closure lasts two weeks, reopening on 10 November.
4. 8 September 2009 — A 1,070-tonne debris flow follows heavy rain. A 55-mile detour is required. The BGS documents progression of slope instability from the 2007 event.
5. 30 December 2015 — A 200-tonne landslide triggered by Storm Frank traps two cars. No injuries reported. Road reopens the following afternoon.
6. October 2018 — Landslides from Storm Callum cause a full closure lasting nine days.
7. September 2020 — The largest recorded landslides: a 6,000-tonne and a 10,000-tonne debris flow. The road reopens briefly then closes again. Enhanced monitoring and a temporary bund on the Old Military Road are implemented.
8. October 2023 — Seven landslides occur after heavy rain. Ten people are airlifted to safety. Full closure between Inveraray and Tarbet lasts five days.

Pre-2007, smaller events were recorded but not systematically documented. The pattern is strongly linked to extreme weather events, and the British Geological Survey has noted that older landslide features continue to influence where new failures occur.

For further detail on the engineering response, see the BGS case study and Highways News reports.

Is there a permanent solution for the A83 landslide risk?

Where is the Rest and Be Thankful viewpoint and what makes it significant?

The viewpoint is located at the highest point of the A83 pass overlooking Glen Croe. It provides a stopping place for motorists and walkers, with a car park and information boards explaining the area’s natural and human history. The pass sits within the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, making it a gateway for tourism as well as a transport corridor.

The site’s significance is twofold. It is a vital economic link connecting communities in Argyll—such as Inveraray, Kintyre, Cowal, and Mid-Argyll—to Glasgow and the Central Belt. It is also a place of historical and cultural value, immortalised by Johnson and Boswell and recognised as one of Scotland’s most evocative road names.

The geological instability of the area, driven by steep slopes, impermeable bedrock, and increasing extreme rainfall linked to climate change, means that the pass is both a scenic highlight and a persistent hazard. This tension between beauty and risk defines the modern Rest and Be Thankful.

What are the official sources for Rest and Be Thankful travel updates?

For real-time road status, Traffic Scotland provides official updates on closures, diversions, and traffic light operations. BEAR Scotland, the operating company responsible for the trunk road, publishes project details on landslide management and maintenance works.

For historical and geological context, the British Geological Survey provides a case study of the 2009 landslide and its implications. The Transport Scotland website covers high-level policy on A83 improvements. Visitor information and walking trails are detailed by Forestry and Land Scotland.

“We climbed with some difficulty to the top of the hill, where we rested and were thankful.”

Dr. Samuel Johnson, ‘A Journey to the Western Islands of Scotland’ (1775)

What happens next for the A83 Rest and Be Thankful?

The immediate situation is one of managed risk. Temporary traffic lights and weather-dependent operations will continue while Transport Scotland consults on a permanent solution. That solution—whether it involves a rock shelter, road realignment, or extensive catchment works—will likely take years to design and build. For the latest updates, monitor BEAR Scotland and Traffic Scotland.

For a complete background on this subject, including the full landslide history and cultural significance, see A83 Rest and Be Thankful: Landslide Status, History, Meaning, and Current Status.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Rest and Be Thankful