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Along the busiest tourist streets in the core of Scotland's ancient city sits a monolith of scaffolding.

For half a decade, a prominent hotel on the corner of a key historic street and the adjacent bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Tourists are unable to reserve stays, pedestrians are funneled through confined passages, and establishments have vacated the building.

Repair work started in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a short period, but now exasperated residents have been told the framework could stay in place until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

The construction firm, the lead company, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the initial parts of the structure can be taken down.

A local authority figure a city representative has described it as a "eyesore" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "very troublesome".

What is going on with this apparently perpetual project?

A Problematic Past

The establishment with 136 rooms was developed on the site of the former regional authority offices in 2009.

Estimates from when it initially debuted under the a fashion-branded banner, put the build cost at about £30m.

Remedial efforts got underway not long after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

Part of the road and a sizable stretch of pavement leading up to the intersection of the Royal Mile have been rendered unusable by the work.

People on foot going to and from the an adjacent district and a neighboring street have been forced single-file into a narrow, covered walkway.

An eatery Ondine departed from the building and moved to another city in 2024.

In a release, its operators said building work had obliged them to modify the restaurant's look, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also the location of dining franchise a pizza restaurant – which has displayed large signs on the scaffold to notify customers it is still open.

Delayed Plans

An report to the a local authority committee in early this year suggested that the process of "uncovering" the frontage would start in February, with a full removal by the close of the year.

But the contractor has said that is incorrect, pointing to "extremely complex" construction issues for the setback.

"We expect starting to dismantle portions of the scaffold close to the conclusion of the coming year, with further improvements continuing thereafter," they said.

"Efforts are underway closely with everyone involved to ensure we provide an improved site for the public."

Local and Conservation Frustration

A conservation official, director of conservation group the a local association, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "protracted" for construction projects.

She said those involved in the project had a "civic responsibility" to lessen inconvenience and should blend the work into the city's design.

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

"I don't understand why there is not a try to incorporate it within the street view or develop something more aesthetic and innovative."

Ongoing Efforts

A official statement said work on "ideas to aesthetically improve the site" was continuing.

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

"This represents a long and drawn-out process, demonstrating the difficulty and size of the repair work required, however we are focused on completing this vital work as soon as is feasible."

The official said the council would "maintain pressure" on those responsible to complete the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a problem for years, and I echo the exasperation of inhabitants and nearby shops over these ongoing postponements.

"That said, I also recognize that the firm has a obligation to make the building structurally sound and that this repair has turned out to be exceptionally difficult."