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Along the busiest tourist streets in the core of Scotland's historic capital stands a imposing sight of scaffolding.

For five years, the establishment on the junction of the famous Royal Mile and the adjacent bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Visitors cannot book rooms, walkers are directed through confined passages, and establishments have left the building.

Remedial work commenced in 2020 and was initially projected to last a few months, but now exasperated residents have been told the scaffolding could remain until 2027.

Further Delays

The main contractor, the lead company, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the first sections of the scaffold can be dismantled.

Edinburgh's council leader a council official has called it a "eyesore" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is transpiring with this seemingly endless project?

Background Issues

The 136-bedroom hotel was constructed on the site of the old regional authority offices in 2009.

Projections from when it first opened under the a designer banner, put the cost of construction at about thirty million pounds.

Remedial efforts started shortly after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a significant portion of sidewalk leading up to the intersection of the historic street have been rendered unusable by the work.

People on foot going to and from the an adjacent district and Victoria Terrace have been compelled in a line into a tight, enclosed passage.

An eatery a popular spot departed from the building and relocated to a different location in 2024.

In a release, its operators said construction activity had compelled them to modify the restaurant's look, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also hosts restaurant chain a pizza restaurant – which has hung large signs on the scaffold to inform customers it is operating as usual.

Missed Deadlines

An report to the council's transport and environment committee in January this year indicated that the process of "revealing" the façade would commence in February, with a total takedown by the close of the year.

But the firm has said that is not the case, citing "extremely complex" structural challenges for the postponement.

"We anticipate starting to remove parts of the scaffold close to the conclusion of the coming year, with further improvements continuing thereafter," they said.

"We are collaborating closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure we provide an enhanced site for the community."

Local and Conservation Frustration

A heritage director, head of heritage body the an advocacy group, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for construction projects.

She said those working on the project had a "civic responsibility" to minimise disturbance and should blend the work into the city's design.

She said: "It renders the pedestrian experience in that area of the city very hard.

"It is puzzling why there is not some attempt to incorporate it within the urban landscape or produce something more creative and avant-garde."

Continued Work

A project spokesperson said work on "solutions to aesthetically improve the site" was ongoing.

They continued: "We recognize the irritations felt by nearby inhabitants and businesses.

"This represents a lengthy and protracted process, reflecting the complexity and scale of the repair work required, however we are committed to completing this vital work as soon as is feasible."

Ms Meagher said the city would "maintain pressure" on those involved to wrap up the project.

She said: "This framework has been a blight for years, and I understand the frustration of inhabitants and area enterprises over these continued delays.

"That said, I also appreciate that the company has a responsibility to make the building safe and that this restoration has proved to be hugely complex."