Scoutmoor Yorkstone alternative: Northcliff Blue and Rustic
Scoutmoor is a fine-grained yorkstone running from blue-grey to brown, a familiar presence in London public space. Its two strengths are its performance in demanding paving and a marked tonal variation, hard to find outside yorkstone. Our proposal covers both: Northcliff Blue shares that blue-grey with brown tones and surpasses it in the compression, absorption and freeze-thaw tests; Rustic brings the warm tones for projects after more variation. The table compares the test results for all three stones, without omitting the properties where the yorkstone performs better.
Scoutmoor Yorkstone
- Type:
- Fine-grained Carboniferous sandstone (Millstone Grit), yorkstone
- Origin:
- Northern England (Lancashire and Yorkshire)
- Colour:
- Blue-grey to brown, with marked tonal variation between units
Scoutmoor is one of the reference yorkstones of the British public realm: it paves front-line settings in London and is specified wherever a durable blue-grey is required. This page compares that profile with two European own-quarry sandstones, with published test data and availability confirmed per project.
Northcliff Blue
Blue-grey lithic arenite with brown tones, the same colour range as the yorkstone, with 0.80 % absorption and 147 MPa compressive strength.
View stone
Rustic
Grey sandstone with golden tones covering the brown range of the yorkstone, with 85 PTV wet slip resistance, for pedestrian and facing uses.
View stoneTechnical comparison
| Property | Scoutmoor Yorkstone | Northcliff Blue · Rustic |
|---|---|---|
| Petrographic family | Fine-grained Carboniferous sandstone (Millstone Grit) | Lithic arenite · Calcarenite |
| Colour | Blue-grey to brown | Blue-grey and brown · Grey with golden tones |
| Compressive strength | 68 MPa (mean, published data) | 147 MPa · 86 MPa |
| Flexural strength | 23.4 MPa (mean) | 23.3 MPa · 10.5 MPa |
| Mean flexural strength for Scoutmoor and Northcliff Blue sits in the same range; the difference shows in the next figure. | ||
| Flexural strength after freeze-thaw cycles | Drops by 16 % | 24.9 MPa, rises · 10.1 MPa, drops by 4 % |
| Same European test on all of them. A stone gaining strength after 56 freeze-thaw cycles, as Northcliff Blue does, is uncommon behaviour. | ||
| Water absorption / porosity | 2.29 % absorption; 10.8 % open porosity | 0.80 % absorption · 9.9 % open porosity |
| Abrasion | 19.2 mm | 18.5 mm · 25.5 mm |
| Equivalent values between Scoutmoor and Northcliff Blue. Rustic stays out of vehicular traffic. | ||
| Wet slip resistance | 80 to 87 PTV depending on finish | Rustic: 85 PTV · Northcliff Blue: ask us, by finish |
| The published figure favours the yorkstone here. Northcliff Blue’s declaration of performance does not break slip resistance down by finish; we provide the laboratory test for the flamed finish when the project requires it. | ||
| Finishes | Sawn and flamed, among others | Northcliff Blue: sawn, bush-hammered and flamed · Rustic: wide range, no flamed |
| Supply | Reference British yorkstone, in high demand for public works | Our own quarries in Spain with in-house processing; lead time and availability confirmed by our team for each project |
Neither stone replicates Scoutmoor’s tonal range exactly: Northcliff Blue covers the blue-grey part of the range and Rustic the golden one. That is why, before any decision, we send a physical sample and test documentation for both.
The same blue-grey, stronger test results
The two stones share the same colour description: blue-grey with brown tones. In testing, carried out under the same European standards, Scoutmoor declares a mean compressive strength of 68 MPa and 2.29 % water absorption; Northcliff Blue declares 147 MPa and 0.80 %. Flexural strength is practically identical, 23.4 against 23.3 MPa mean. The freeze-thaw test records the largest difference: after 56 freeze-thaw cycles, Scoutmoor’s declared flexural strength falls by 16 %, while Northcliff Blue’s increases from 23.3 to 24.9 MPa. It is the most relevant figure for external paving in frost-prone climates.
Tonal variation
Yorkstone is recognised by its tonal range, from blue-grey to brown. Northcliff Blue is mostly grey, with 10 to 15 % golden and brown veining: it shows variation, though more contained than Scoutmoor’s. For projects that prioritise the warm end of the range, the alternative is Rustic, a grey sandstone with golden tones.
When to use each stone
The split comes from the technical datasheets. Northcliff Blue is rated for high-performance external paving, including heavy pedestrian and vehicular traffic areas, and for cold climates; it takes a flamed finish, listed in its declaration of performance. Rustic is indicated for external paving, decorative setts and masonry facing; its 25.5 mm abrasion places it outside vehicular traffic, where the reference is Northcliff Blue.
Frequently asked questions
Does Northcliff Blue have the same tonal variation as Scoutmoor?
Not exactly. Northcliff Blue is mostly grey, with 10 to 15 % golden and brown tones: a more contained variation than the yorkstone’s. Rustic covers the warm end of the range. Compare samples of both against the project before deciding.
Which stone fits which use?
Northcliff Blue for heavy traffic paving, vehicular included, and for cold climates: 147 MPa, 0.80 % absorption and flexural strength that improves after freeze-thaw, per its declaration of performance. Rustic for pedestrian and facing uses; its 25.5 mm abrasion keeps it out of vehicular traffic.
Do you supply the usual yorkstone thicknesses, such as 70 mm?
Yes. We cut to size from our own quarry, in flags, setts, steps and special pieces, including the usual British public-realm paving thicknesses, such as 70 mm. Tell us the format and quantities and we will confirm lead time and availability for your site date.
Check availability and lead time
If your project calls for a blue-grey yorkstone, send us the m², thickness and site date: we will prepare Northcliff Blue and Rustic samples and reply with specific availability, lead time and price.
- Availability, lead time and price with your measurements
- Physical sample free of charge for professionals
- Technical datasheet with test values