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Positioned on the busiest tourist streets in the core of Scotland's ancient city sits a giant structure of scaffolding.

For half a decade, a prominent hotel on the intersection of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and the adjacent bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Tourists are unable to reserve stays, walkers are squeezed through tight corridors, and businesses have vacated the building.

Repair work began in 2020 and was only expected to last a few months, but now exasperated residents have been told the framework could persist until 2027.

Extended Timelines

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

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

What is happening with this notoriously protracted project?

A Problematic Past

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

Figures from when it first opened under the a fashion-branded banner, put the development expense at about a significant sum.

Construction activity got underway not long after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a large section of pavement leading up to the junction of the tourist drag have been rendered unusable by the project.

Pedestrians going to and from the an adjacent district and Victoria Terrace have been required one after another into a confined, sheltered corridor.

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

In a release, its operators said building work had obliged them to alter the restaurant's appearance, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also hosts popular eatery a pizza restaurant – which has placed large banners on the scaffold to inform customers it is operating as usual.

Delayed Plans

An report to the a local authority committee in the start of the year stated that the process of "exposing" the exterior would start in February, with a complete dismantling by the end of the year.

But the contractor has said that is incorrect, referencing "extremely complex" building problems for the setback.

"We anticipate starting to take down parts of the scaffold towards the end of the coming year, with subsequent enhancements continuing thereafter," a statement read.

"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 conservation group the an advocacy group, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for development.

She said those associated with the project had a "civic responsibility" to reduce disruption and should incorporate the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It renders the pedestrian experience in that section exceptionally challenging.

"It is perplexing why there is not an effort to integrate it into the street view or create something more aesthetic and avant-garde."

Project Response

A project spokesperson said work on "ideas to beautify the site" was in progress.

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

"This has been a extended and complex process, reflecting the intricacy and size of the remedial work required, however we are committed to concluding this essential work as soon as is practicable."

The council leader said the local authority would "maintain pressure" on those accountable to complete the project.

She said: "This framework has been a problem for years, and I understand the exasperation of inhabitants and local businesses over these ongoing postponements.

"That said, I also appreciate that the firm has a obligation to make the building safe and that this restoration has proved to be exceptionally difficult."