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Along the most popular thoroughfares in the core of Scotland's ancient city looms a monolith of scaffolding.

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

Travellers cannot book rooms, foot traffic are directed through narrow walkways, and establishments have left the building.

Restoration efforts started in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a brief duration, but now frustrated residents have been told the framework could persist until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

The construction firm, the primary firm, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the initial parts of the scaffold can be removed.

Edinburgh's council leader a city representative has called it a "blight" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is transpiring with this seemingly endless project?

A Problematic Past

The sizeable hotel was developed on the site of the former regional authority offices in 2009.

Figures from when it initially debuted under the a designer banner, put the cost of construction at about thirty million pounds.

Remedial efforts started not long after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

Part of the road and a sizable stretch of pavement leading up to the junction of the tourist drag have been left out of action by the project.

People on foot going to and from the Lawnmarket and a neighboring street have been required one after another into a tight, enclosed passage.

A dining establishment a well-known restaurant left the building and moved to another city in 2024.

In a comment, its operators said construction activity had forced them to alter the restaurant's appearance, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also hosts restaurant chain a chain – which has displayed large notices on the structure to inform customers it is operating as usual.

Delayed Plans

An update to the a local authority committee in January this year suggested that the process of "exposing" the frontage would begin in February, with a total takedown by the close of the year.

But SRM has said that is not the case, citing "extremely complex" building problems for the postponement.

"We expect starting to take down portions of the framework near the finish of the coming year, with additional work continuing thereafter," they said.

"We are working closely with everyone involved to ensure we deliver an improved site for the local area."

Community and Heritage Concerns

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

She said those working on the project had a "obligation to the public" to lessen disruption and should blend the work into the city's aesthetic.

She said: "It is making the pedestrian experience in that area of the city really difficult.

"It is perplexing why there is not some attempt to bring it into the streetscape or produce something more aesthetic and innovative."

Project Response

A project spokesperson said work on "ideas to enhance the appearance the site" was continuing.

They stated: "We acknowledge the frustrations felt by nearby inhabitants and businesses.

"This has been a extended and complex process, demonstrating the intricacy and magnitude of the repair work required, however we are dedicated to completing this necessary work as soon as is feasible."

The official said the council would "maintain pressure" on those involved to finish the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a problem for years, and I understand the exasperation of locals and area enterprises over these ongoing postponements.

"However, I also acknowledge that the contractor has a duty to make the building secure and that this remediation has proved to be extremely complicated."