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Positioned on the most popular thoroughfares in the heart of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre sits a imposing sight of scaffolding.

For half a decade, a prominent hotel on the corner of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and a major bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Visitors are unable to reserve stays, walkers are directed through narrow walkways, and businesses have abandoned the building.

Repair work started in 2020 and was initially projected to last a brief duration, but now exasperated residents have been told the framework could remain until 2027.

Extended Timelines

The construction firm, the lead company, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the initial parts of the frame can be removed.

Edinburgh's council leader Jane Meagher has called it a "blight" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is going on with this notoriously protracted project?

A Troubled History

The sizeable hotel was built on the site of the previous Lothian Regional Council offices in 2009.

Estimates from when it first opened under the a designer banner, put the development expense at about thirty million pounds.

Construction activity started soon after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a large section of pavement leading up to the junction of the historic street have been left out of action by the development.

Walkers going to and from the Lawnmarket and a neighboring street have been required in a line into a tight, enclosed passage.

Seafood restaurant a well-known restaurant departed from the building and transferred to another city in 2024.

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

It is also hosts popular eatery a chain – which has placed large signs on the scaffold to remind customers it is still open.

Missed Deadlines

An communication to the a local authority committee in January this year indicated that the process of "uncovering" the frontage would commence in February, with a complete dismantling by the year's end.

But the firm has said that is not the case, citing "highly complicated" structural challenges for the setback.

"We anticipate starting to remove sections of the scaffold near the finish of the coming year, with subsequent enhancements ongoing after that," the company commented.

"We are collaborating closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure we provide an better site for the local area."

Local and Conservation Frustration

A conservation official, lead of heritage body the Cockburn Association, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "protracted" for urban works.

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

She said: "It is making the walking experience in that area of the city exceptionally challenging.

"I don't understand why there is not a try to bring it into the urban landscape or develop something more creative and cutting-edge."

Project Response

A official statement said work on "measures to enhance the appearance the site" was continuing.

They added: "We recognize the frustrations felt by the community and enterprises.

"This represents a lengthy and protracted process, demonstrating the difficulty and scale of the remedial work required, however we are committed to completing this necessary work as soon as is practicable."

Ms Meagher said the council would "continue to put pressure" on those accountable to complete the project.

She said: "This framework has been a problem for years, and I share the exasperation of residents and nearby shops over these continued delays.

"Nonetheless, I also appreciate that the company has a responsibility to make the building secure and that this restoration has proved to be extremely complicated."