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Along the busiest tourist streets in the heart of Scotland's ancient city sits a giant structure of scaffolding.

For five years, a prominent hotel on the corner of the famous Royal Mile and a major bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Travellers are unable to reserve stays, foot traffic are funneled through confined passages, and commercial tenants have vacated the building.

Remedial work began in 2020 and was only expected to last a short period, but now frustrated residents have been told the scaffolding could persist until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

The main contractor, the primary firm, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the initial parts of the scaffold can be removed.

The city's political leader a city representative has labeled it a "blight" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is happening with this seemingly endless project?

A Problematic Past

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

Estimates from when it originally launched under the a fashion-branded banner, put the cost of construction at about thirty million pounds.

Remedial efforts got underway shortly after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a large section of footpath leading up to the intersection of the historic street have been rendered unusable by the project.

People on foot going to and from the Lawnmarket and Victoria Terrace have been compelled one after another into a narrow, covered walkway.

Seafood restaurant a popular spot quit the building and relocated to a different location in 2024.

In a comment, its operators 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 displayed large signs on the scaffold to notify customers it is operating as usual.

Slipped Schedules

An communication to the a city committee in January this year suggested that the process of "exposing" the façade would begin in February, with a complete dismantling by the year's end.

But the firm has said that is not the case, pointing to "extremely complex" building problems for the postponement.

"We expect starting to take down portions of the structure towards the end of the coming year, with additional work proceeding afterwards," they said.

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

Community and Heritage Concerns

A conservation official, director of preservation association the an advocacy group, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "slow" for construction projects.

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

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

"It is perplexing why there is not some attempt to bring it into the street view or develop something more creative and cutting-edge."

Continued Work

A company representative said work on "solutions to aesthetically improve the site" was in progress.

They added: "We understand the irritations felt by nearby inhabitants and businesses.

"This has been a long and drawn-out process, highlighting the complexity and scale of the restoration required, however we are dedicated to completing this necessary work as soon as is practicable."

The official said the city would "maintain pressure" on those accountable to wrap up the project.

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

"Nonetheless, I also recognize that the firm has a obligation to make the building secure and that this remediation has been extremely complicated."