Driveways and paths · Edinburgh and the Lothians

Tarmac paths and footpaths in Edinburgh

Homeowners in Edinburgh ask us about tarmac paths for the same reason: a surface that stays flat, drains properly and still looks tidy in ten years. That comes down to the build underneath.

EDINBURGH GUIDE£54–£88 per m² inc VAT
Tarmac garden path with timber edging curving to a shed, typical of tarmac path work

Tarmac path prices in Edinburgh

These Edinburgh guide prices reflect rates in Scotland, about 2% below our UK midpoint.

ItemGuide 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

As a 2026 guide in Edinburgh, tarmac path work runs at about £54–£88 per m² including VAT, so a 10 m² path is roughly £650–£1,050. Guide only; the survey confirms a fixed price.

The build-up we price

Surface courseabout 20 mm AC 6Binder courseabout 40–50 mm AC 20Baseabout 100 mm MOT Type 1Edgestimber, kerbs or blocksINDICATIVE CROSS-SECTION · NOT TO SCALE

What is included in a tarmac path?

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
  • Binder and surface course laid hot by hand and rolled
  • Gentle cross-fall so water runs off to the border

Edinburgh: the local details

Edinburgh at a glance. We cover Edinburgh as part of our regular Edinburgh and the Lothians rounds.

Postcodes
EH1, EH2, EH3, EH8, EH7, EH9, EH6, EH5
Area
Edinburgh and the Lothians
Nearest towns
Musselburgh (6 miles), Dalkeith (6 miles), Bonnyrigg (6 miles), Dalgety Bay (8 miles)
Pricing
Scotland, about 2% below our UK midpoint
Kerb approvals
The council

Nearby, we work in Musselburgh, Dalkeith, Bonnyrigg, Dalgety Bay, Prestonpans.

Planning and kerb rules for Edinburgh

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.

Your questions answered

Which Edinburgh postcodes do you cover?

We cover Edinburgh including EH1, EH2, EH3, EH8, EH7, EH9, and nearby Musselburgh, Dalkeith, Bonnyrigg.

Will someone visit before I get a fixed price in Edinburgh?

Yes for new surfacing such as drives, paths, private roads and car parks. Small repairs are often priced from photos; if a visit is needed for a repair-only job, we tell you any charge first.

How quickly can work start in Edinburgh?

Often 1–2 days. We book Edinburgh surveys alongside other jobs in Edinburgh and the Lothians, and give you dates once the specification is agreed.

How much does a tarmac path cost in Edinburgh?

As a 2026 guide in Edinburgh, tarmac path work runs at about £54–£88 per m² including VAT, so a 10 m² path is roughly £650–£1,050. Edging, drainage and a dropped kerb are priced separately where needed.

More we do in Edinburgh

Tell us what you have in mind for Edinburgh and we'll book a survey and put the specification in writing.

Free survey for new surfacing

Tarmac paths and footpaths in Edinburgh: get a written 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
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