Tarmac paths and footpaths in Edinburgh and the Lothians
Across in Edinburgh and the Lothians, we cover 15 towns for tarmac paths, including Edinburgh, Livingston and Musselburgh.
How much does a tarmac path cost in Edinburgh and the Lothians?
Rates in Edinburgh and the Lothians follow Scotland, about 2% below our UK midpoint.
| Item | Guide price (inc VAT) |
|---|---|
| Tarmac garden path or footpath, hand-laid | £54–£88 per m² |
| Example: 10 m² path | £650–£1,050 |
| Example: 20 m² path | £1,200–£1,950 |
| Example: 40 m² path | £2,150–£3,550 |
Towns we cover in Edinburgh and the Lothians
- Edinburgh
- Livingston
- Musselburgh
- Bathgate
- Bonnyrigg
- Penicuik
- Broxburn
- Linlithgow
- Dalkeith
- Armadale
- Tranent
- Whitburn
- Dunbar
- Prestonpans
- Haddington
Postcode areas: EH, ML.
What is included?
A tarmac path is a lighter version of a drive build: a compacted stone base of around 100 mm, a binder course and a fine surface course, laid by hand and held in by timber edging, kerbs or blocks.
- Path set out to the line and width you want
- Excavation to about 150–180 mm with spoil removed
- MOT Type 1 base, about 100 mm, compacted
- Timber, kerb or block edging on both sides
- Binder and surface course laid hot by hand and rolled
- Gentle cross-fall so water runs off to the border
Rules in Edinburgh and the Lothians
Repairs, paths and edging work rarely need planning permission. In Scotland, a hard surface between the house and a road is permitted development only if it is porous or drains to a porous area within the property, whatever its size.
Tarmac paths and footpaths in Edinburgh and the Lothians: questions
How much does a tarmac path cost in Edinburgh and the Lothians?
As a 2026 guide, about £54–£88 per m² inc VAT in Edinburgh and the Lothians. The survey confirms a fixed price.
Which towns in Edinburgh and the Lothians do you cover?
Edinburgh, Livingston, Musselburgh, Bathgate, Bonnyrigg, Penicuik, Broxburn, Linlithgow and more.
How long does a tarmac path take?
Often 1–2 days.
How thick should a tarmac footpath be?
For walking traffic, about 100 mm of compacted Type 1 with a 40–50 mm binder and a 20 mm surface course is a common build. If a mower or quad will use it, go thicker.
Other services in Edinburgh and the Lothians
Get a written tarmac quote
Send a postcode and a rough size and we'll arrange a survey. Every quote lists the layers, edging, drainage and VAT.
- Surface courseDEPTH + MIX
- Binder courseDEPTH + MIX
- Sub-baseDEPTH + MATERIAL
- Edges, drainage, VATITEMISED