Scottish Gold Sandstone Aggregate
By Ben Parrot - Landscape Gardener & Amateur Geologist
Classification:
Stone landscaping material and construction aggregate
Geological name(s):
Sandstone
Other Name(s):
Spey gravel chips, Spey chips, Scottish pebbles, Spey stones, river Spey chips, Spey garden chips, Spey quartz chips, Spey gravel chips
Overview
Welcome to the only encyclopaedia for decorative aggregates and landscaping materials. Spey gravel, also known as Spey chips, is a mid-priced, hard-wearing decorative aggregate known for its distinctive appearance, where the slight quartz within sparkles in the sun and its golden hue produces a deluxe feel.
This is a comprehensive encyclopaedia listing about Spey gravel, a hardscape and construction aggregate. It details the product's specifications, accompanied by photographs, and outlines its benefits, applications, and incompatibilities as a landscaping material. Additionally, this entry serves as a gateway to a wealth of DIY resources, with a list of comparable alternatives, articles offering design inspiration and fundamental principles, and a collection of straightforward, step-by-step instructions for constructing your own hardscaping features.
Spey Gravel Specifications
material | colour | shape | sizes | fall safety | price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sandstone | 10-20mm |
durability | fish friendly | eco friendly | degradability | ph | diy friendly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Non-degradable | Alkaline |
Material
Sedimentary rock
Colour
Golden, brown and buff with hints of white and peach
Shape
Angular
Size Range
10-20mm (0.4-0.8")
20mm Spey chips, 20mm Loch Spey chippings, Spey chips 20mm, 20mm Spey
Fall Safety
Unsuitable for play surfaces
Price
Mid
Durability
High
Fish Friendly
No
Eco-friendly
Yes
Degradability
Non-degradable
pH
Alkaline
DIY-Friendly
Yes
Benefits
Decorative aggregates like Spey gravel offer a multitude of benefits. They are versatile, easy to maintain, and can significantly upgrade the look of any outdoor space. Their use in landscaping design not only adds visual appeal to outdoor space but also aids in soil moisture retention and weed control.
Spey gravel, with its natural golden tones, brings a warm and inviting look to gardens and driveways. It's perfect for creating a serene and natural ambience, blending seamlessly with various outdoor elements.
Applications
Spey gravel is a popular choice for driveways and pathways because of its angular shape. It can also be used in rockeries and garden borders to create a unique finish that requires low maintenance. Whether you are working on a landscaping project or a gardening project, Spey gravel can be an excellent addition to enhance the beauty of your outdoor space.
In the following section, we list many common ways to use Spey gravel chips, although the number of potential applications for any aggregate is almost limitless. Wherever there is a hyperlink beside an item, an article from Outdoor Aggregates about the topic is available.
Inspiration and Informational Articles
DIY-Friendly How-To Guides
Other Applications
Some other excellent applications for Spey gravel include:
Unsuitable For
The following list represents the kinds of applications that Spey gravel may not be suitable for:
- 1Erosion control: On steep slopes or areas with significant inclines, the loose nature of the gravel can make it prone to movement which can be problematic on slopes. A gravel grid should be in place as a minimum.
- 2Aquascaping, as they are not fish-friendly
- 3French drains
- 4Play surfaces
Similar Alternatives to Spey Gravel
The following is a list of decorative aggregates which are alternatives to Spey gravel. They may offer you a more suitable variation on the primary colour, a more economical option, or a close substitute for cases where the base material may be unsuitable for the project you are creating, e.g. limestone is not fish-friendly, where slate is.
Name | Colours | Material | Size | Shape | Availability | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Red sandstone pebbles | warm red | Sandstone | 10-50mm (0.4-2") | rounded | UK, USA, | |
apricot, peach | 10-20mm (0.4-0.8") | Angular | UK, USA, EU | |||
buff, cream | 6-20mm (0.025-8") | Angular | UK, USA | |||
peach, cream | 5-30mm (0.2-1.2") | Angular | UK, USA, EU | |||
white, pink, yellow | 10-20mm (0.4-0.8") | Rounded | UK, USA, EU | |||
apricot, white | Quartzite | 10-20mm (0.4-0.8") | Angular | UK, USA, EU |
Under £80
£80-£120
£120-£150
£150-£200
£200-£300
£300+
Maintenance
When used with weed control fabrics to suppress weeds, Spey gravel can significantly reduce the time spent on garden upkeep, with most work limited to raking and the occasional removal of debris. It is advisable to power wash the product from time to time to retain its original colour and avoid the accumulation of algae or moss. During installation, it is recommended to wash off dust that may be present in natural quarry materials with water. For areas with high foot traffic, such as paths or footpaths, it may be necessary to replenish the gravel over time to maintain the required depth and coverage.
For more on how to clean gravel, read our article: how to clean garden stones.
Purchasing Tips
When purchasing Spey gravel, consider the size options and quantity necessary for your project. Where available, it is cost-effective to request a sample to assess the stone's colour and quality against your design requirements. Also, consider the different sizes; for instance, 20mm gravels are typically used for driveways, while smaller 10mm stones are better suited to footpaths.
Our gravel calculator will give you a quick and unbiased estimate for your project needs just by taking a few measurements of the space. It is one of the best and easiest ways to order the right amount and helps avoid shortfalls or over-spending. Purchasing a Spey chips bulk bag or ordering in loose loads can offer better value than purchasing in smaller quantities. Therefore, calculating accurately can save both time and money. It is also important to consider the delivery aspects, including vehicle access to the site. Additionally, you should check stock availability and factor in VAT and transportation costs if applicable.
FAQs
What is the best way to lay gravel?
For optimal results, lay a weed-suppressing membrane before spreading the gravel evenly to a depth of approximately 50mm (2 inches).
Can spey gravel be used in driveways?
Yes, its durability and size make it suitable for driveways, though it should be contained with edging to prevent scattering of stones.
How often should Spey gravel be topped up?
Typically, it's recommended to top up every 3-5 years, but this can vary based on usage and personal preference.
