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Along the most frequented avenues in the core of Scotland's historic capital looms a giant structure of construction framework.

For the past 60 months, a prominent hotel on the intersection of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and George IV Bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Tourists find no available accommodations, walkers are funneled through tight corridors, and establishments have left the building.

Restoration efforts commenced in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a few months, but now fed-up residents have been told the scaffolding could stay in place until 2027.

Extended Timelines

The construction firm, the primary firm, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the first sections of the frame can be dismantled.

A local authority figure Jane Meagher has labeled it a "negative feature" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "very troublesome".

What is happening with this apparently perpetual project?

A Problematic Past

The sizeable hotel was constructed on the site of the former Lothian Regional Council offices in 2009.

Figures from when it originally launched under the a designer banner, put the development expense at about £30m.

Construction activity started shortly after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

A section of the street and a sizable stretch of footpath leading up to the corner of the historic street have been rendered unusable by the project.

Walkers going to and from the Lawnmarket and another locale have been forced one after another into a confined, sheltered corridor.

An eatery a popular spot quit the building and transferred to another city in 2024.

In a comment, its management said building work had compelled them to alter the restaurant's appearance, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also home to popular eatery a pizza restaurant – which has placed large signs on the scaffold to remind customers it is open for business.

Slipped Schedules

An update to the a local authority committee in January this year stated that the process of "exposing" the façade would begin in February, with a complete dismantling by the year's end.

But the contractor has said that is not the case, referencing "highly complicated" structural challenges for the delay.

"We project starting to take down sections of the scaffold close to the conclusion of the coming year, with further improvements continuing thereafter," a statement read.

"We are working closely with everyone involved to ensure we deliver an enhanced site for the public."

Local and Conservation Frustration

A heritage director, head of conservation group the Cockburn Association, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for urban works.

She said those involved in the project had a "public duty" to reduce disturbance and should blend the work into the city's design.

She said: "It causes the experience for those on foot in that section exceptionally challenging.

"I don't understand why there is not a try to incorporate it within the streetscape or produce something more creative and cutting-edge."

Project Response

A project spokesperson said work on "ideas to aesthetically improve the site" was continuing.

They continued: "We understand the annoyances felt by the community and shops.

"This constitutes a long and drawn-out process, demonstrating the difficulty and size of the remedial work required, however we are focused on finishing this essential work as soon as is possible."

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

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

"That said, I also acknowledge that the company has a obligation to make the building structurally sound and that this repair has proved to be hugely complex."