Well I've tried to work with liners and found them to be a royal pain in the tucas. Pernicious weeds will grow straight through them like nothing. Weeds will also grow on top with roots piercing straight through the liners. The liner will show in parts as the chips break down and wave like a flag on windy days. It's very difficult to pull up afterwards. I would do without it.

Thanks, Bathgate. I was also thinking more about this and as there is a slope on both areas, rain water would run down a liner and pool at the edge of the lawn. I am beginning to think it is not a great idea.

Here is a video from a professional gardener on weed control fabric. this may help:

The Pros and Cons of using Weed Control Fabric (Landscape Fabric)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ovq3oZi5O64

Thanks, Bathgate. It was a useful video analysis. One of the attractions that I did have for using the liner is in case I do have to lift the gravel at some point. I remember having a terrible job to do this in my back garden where the previous owner had covered a substantial area with red chips. He had spread these on top of plastic bin liners which, of course, are far too thin. So, I ended up with an area of ground that is still pretty infertile and of limited use. The stones are still in the soil and there are still some pieces of liner come up when working the ground. It is awful.

Stating the bleeding obvious but alpine/rockery plants are okay in poor, shallow soil? Sedums would be nice

see if you can get a pm to BJS as he has many alpines and is very knowledgeable. I am sure he will give lots of advice.

I agree with Bathgate. I have worked with liners, but last year pulled them all up. They make the soil airless and smelly and weeds go straight through, but are impossible to remove as the roots get enmeshed in the liner. The last thing alpines want is damp soil which liners promote. I think you are better off just using pea shingle as a mulch. And topping it up as required. In my experience, Alpines love it and it keeps the mud off them so they look much better too. You could also introduce some bigger rocks to give extra shelter from the winds and a nice foil for the plants.

Thanks for the responses. I am actually reconsidering the whole idea now. The idea was to 'tidy up' an awkward area and am not sure that I won't simply make things more awkward - whatever I do. It may simply be best to use the areas for bedding plants. That way it means that I am made to maintain the ground and keep it tidy.

Somhairle...I have a gorgeous primula auricula (bedding kind) that gives almost year round green foliage, and beautiful butter yellow flowers for weeks and weeks. It would maybe be ideal for your awkward spot? Or other primulas....
https://www.growsonyou.com/photo/slideshow/343525-bedding-primula-auricula/member/cottagekaren

That is lovely, Karen. It looks a little like the stray primula that grows in my lawn. :) Do the leaves stay 'fresh' throughout the year. I found many primulas get very mottled in the warmer weather.

It's not too bad Somhairle. They tend to shrink back to a rosette...not as much as a drumstick primula, but they do reduce an awful lot, so no I would say not 'fresh'.