Tarmac paths and footpaths in Highland and Moray

How much does a tarmac path cost in Highland and Moray?

Rates in Highland and Moray follow Scotland, about 8% above our UK midpoint. Work here is by arrangement because of travel and haulage.

Item	Guide price (inc VAT)
Tarmac garden path or footpath, hand-laid	£59–£97 per m²
Example: 10 m² path	£710–£1,150
Example: 20 m² path	£1,300–£2,150
Example: 40 m² path	£2,350–£3,900

Towns we cover in Highland and Moray

Postcode areas: IV, PH.

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 Highland and Moray

Repairs, paths and edging work rarely need planning permission. In Scotland, permitted development allows a hard surface between a house and a road only if it is porous or the water drains to a porous area within the property. Unlike England there is no 5 m² allowance, so it applies to any size. Conservation areas and the grounds of listed buildings have extra restrictions. The council, as roads authority, controls any new or widened access across a footway.