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On one of the busiest tourist streets in the core of Scotland's ancient city stands a imposing sight of metal poles and platforms.

For the past 60 months, a prominent hotel on the junction of the famous Royal Mile and a major bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Travellers are unable to reserve stays, walkers are directed through narrow walkways, and establishments have left the building.

Restoration efforts began in 2020 and was only expected to last a brief duration, but now fed-up residents have been told the scaffolding could remain until 2027.

Further Delays

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the main contractor, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the first sections of the structure can be removed.

Edinburgh's council leader a city representative has described it as a "negative feature" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is happening with this apparently perpetual project?

A Problematic Past

The establishment with 136 rooms was constructed on the site of the old Lothian Regional Council offices in 2009.

Projections from when it initially debuted under the a designer banner, put the build cost at about £30m.

Remedial efforts got underway soon after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a significant portion of footpath leading up to the junction of the tourist drag have been rendered unusable by the project.

People on foot going to and from the an adjacent district and Victoria Terrace have been compelled one after another into a confined, sheltered corridor.

An eatery Ondine quit the building and moved to a different location in 2024.

In a comment, its owners said the ongoing project had compelled them to alter the restaurant's facade, 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 remind customers it is open for business.

Delayed Plans

An communication to the council's transport and environment committee in the start of the year suggested that the process of "uncovering" the façade would begin in February, with a full removal by the close of the year.

But the firm has said that is incorrect, citing "extremely complex" structural challenges for the setback.

"We expect starting to take down portions of the scaffold towards the end of the coming year, with further improvements continuing thereafter," they said.

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

Local and Conservation Frustration

A conservation official, director of heritage body the an advocacy group, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for development.

She said those associated with the project had a "public duty" to minimise inconvenience and should blend the work into the city's design.

She said: "It causes the pedestrian experience in that section really difficult.

"It is perplexing why there is not an effort to integrate it into the street view or create something more artistic and cutting-edge."

Ongoing Efforts

A company representative said work on "ideas to beautify the site" was continuing.

They stated: "We acknowledge the annoyances felt by local residents and shops.

"This constitutes a long and drawn-out process, demonstrating the intricacy and scale of the repair work required, however we are committed to completing this necessary work as soon as is feasible."

Ms Meagher said the city would "continue to put pressure" on those accountable to finish the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a problem for years, and I share the frustration of inhabitants and area enterprises over these persistent hold-ups.

"However, I also appreciate that the company has a duty to make the building structurally sound and that this remediation has been exceptionally difficult."