Gravel path grid for an Isle of Skye retreat meet the challenges of a hillside terrain

“After doing some research, I chose Gravelrings because it looked like the best product. Reputation is everything around here.”
Jamie Kirkwood
Isle of Skye

Gravel pathways for an Isle of Skye retreat

Groundworks contractor Easgaidh faced the task of creating gravel pathways to link a series of hillside cabins with a luxurious lobby building and car park on the Isle of Skye. The sloping site and highland weather required a solution that would withstand the elements and the use of golf buggies to transport guests’ luggage around with minimal maintenance – while matching the rustic aesthetics of the holiday hideaway.

Hillside site

On a sloping hillside on the Isle of Skye in Scotland, the first phase of a wilderness-style cabin development has been completed. Some 27 cabins sit amongst the highland landscape, connected by gravel paths that wind their way around the development.

Jamie Kirkwood, director of groundworks contractor Easgaidh, was tasked with finding a way to construct the paths that would cope with the uneven terrain and the harsh conditions. Aside from the fact that many of paths sit on sloping ground, the chosen solution had to cope with the Scottish weather – which often features heavy rainfall during the winter months.

Having done his research, Jamie decided on Gravelrings to create a gravel path grid. One of the advantages of this system, he says, is that it is pinned to the floor. Other systems are only clipped together, or even just laid in sections without attachments, neither of which would be secure enough on a sloping site.

Beating the elements – and golf buggies!

Over the months of March and April 2024, Jamie’s team laid 1,700 sq m of Gravelrings over the sub-base, which was cambered in places and also contained filter drains. The Gravelring system is permeable to rainwater, which means it is often specified as part of a sustainable drainage system (SuDS), allowing rainwater to re-enter the ground as near to the point where it falls – reducing the risk of it being carried downstream and heightening the risk of flooding.

Easgaidh also used Graveledge, which can be supplied in rigid straight lengths or flexible ones. At 40mm deep, Graveledge allows for the 25mm-deep Gravelrings, with an additional 15mm of gravel above them, meaning that edging and the surface of the path will be flush.

The gravel for the paths is mostly 20mm-river washed chippings, a requirement of the planners. As well as fitting perfectly with the ruggedly beautiful surroundings, the gravel on these paths is contained within the rings and the edgings, so that it does not migrate, rut or require constant topping up.
The paths at the development lead from the car park to the lobby building and then on to the cabins. One of the requirements for the chosen solution was that it would provide a safe and stable surface for the golf buggies used to transport guests’ luggage – as well as for hotel guests to walk on.
“We tested it with the golf buggies, and it works well,” reports Jamie. “If anything, the buggies compact the gravel further.”

Built to last

There are two, smaller, phases planned for the development with the ground works for the second one already underway. Easgaidh will definitely be deploying Gravelrings and Graveledge again, says Jamie.
“We think the maintenance will be pretty minimal,” says Jamie. “My guys have been meticulous in the way they have installed it; this system has been built to last.”

Achieve the perfect gravel driveway with the Beauxfort Gravelrings system. For more information about the Beauxfort landscape systems, design inspiration and to request a free sample, or talk to our friendly team about your project by contacting us on 0330 055 2599 or info@beauxfort.com.

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