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Positioned on the busiest tourist streets in the heart of Scotland's ancient city looms a monolith of scaffolding.

For half a decade, a prominent hotel on the corner of the famous Royal Mile and the adjacent bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Visitors cannot book rooms, foot traffic are funneled through confined passages, and establishments have abandoned the building.

Remedial work commenced in 2020 and was only expected to last a brief duration, but now fed-up residents have been told the scaffolding could persist until 2027.

Extended Timelines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the main contractor, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the initial parts of the frame can be dismantled.

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

What is happening with this apparently perpetual project?

A Troubled History

The sizeable hotel was constructed on the site of the former local government offices in 2009.

Projections from when it originally launched under the a designer banner, put the build cost at about thirty million pounds.

Remedial efforts started shortly after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

Part of the road and a sizable stretch of pavement leading up to the corner of the historic street have been closed off by the work.

People on foot going to and from the Lawnmarket and a neighboring street have been required one after another into a confined, sheltered corridor.

A dining establishment Ondine 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 look, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also the location of restaurant chain a pizza restaurant – which has hung large notices on the framework to remind customers it is still open.

Missed Deadlines

An update to the a local authority committee in the start of the year suggested that the process of "uncovering" the façade would commence in February, with a full removal by the end of the year.

But the contractor has said that will not happen, pointing to "extremely complex" building problems for the delay.

"We project starting to take down sections of the scaffold close to the conclusion of next year, with additional work ongoing after that," the company commented.

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

Local and Conservation Frustration

Rowan Brown, lead of heritage body the Cockburn Association, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "slow" for urban works.

She said those associated with the project had a "public duty" to reduce disturbance and should blend the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It is making the experience for those on foot in that section very hard.

"It is puzzling why there is not some attempt to bring it into the street view or develop something more creative and innovative."

Ongoing Efforts

A official statement said work on "measures to beautify the site" was ongoing.

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

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

The council leader said the council would "keep applying pressure" on those involved to finish the project.

She said: "This framework has been a blight for years, and I understand the frustration of inhabitants and area enterprises over these ongoing postponements.

"However, I also appreciate that the contractor has a obligation to make the building structurally sound and that this repair has been exceptionally difficult."