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On one of the most frequented avenues in the heart of Scotland's ancient city stands a giant structure of scaffolding.

For half a decade, a prominent hotel on the intersection of the famous Royal Mile and the adjacent bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Travellers are unable to reserve stays, pedestrians are squeezed through confined passages, and establishments have left the building.

Repair work began in 2020 and was originally estimated to last a few months, but now fed-up residents have been told the scaffolding could persist until 2027.

Further Delays

The construction firm, the main contractor, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the initial parts of the frame can be dismantled.

A local authority figure a council official has described it as a "blight" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "extremely disruptive".

What is going on with this seemingly endless 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 first opened under the a designer banner, put the cost of construction at about thirty million pounds.

Remedial efforts got underway not long after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a significant portion of pavement leading up to the junction of the Royal Mile have been closed off by the project.

Pedestrians going to and from the a nearby area and Victoria Terrace have been forced in a line into a narrow, covered walkway.

An eatery a popular spot departed from the building and relocated to a different location in 2024.

In a statement, its operators said the ongoing project had obliged them to alter the restaurant's facade, adding that "customers deserved better".

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

Delayed Plans

An communication to the a local authority committee in early this year indicated that the process of "exposing" the façade would begin in February, with a complete dismantling by the close of the year.

But the firm has said that will not happen, referencing "exceptionally intricate" construction issues for the setback.

"We anticipate starting to dismantle portions of the scaffold towards the end of 2026, with further improvements ongoing after that," a statement read.

"Efforts are underway closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure we provide an better site for the public."

Community and Heritage Concerns

A conservation official, lead of heritage body the an advocacy group, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "protracted" for development.

She said those working on the project had a "obligation to the public" to minimise disturbance and should incorporate the work into the city's aesthetic.

She said: "It is making the walking experience in that part of town really difficult.

"It is puzzling why there is not some attempt to integrate it into the streetscape or produce something more aesthetic and innovative."

Ongoing Efforts

A company representative said work on "measures to beautify the site" was continuing.

They continued: "We recognize the irritations felt by the community and businesses.

"This constitutes a lengthy and protracted process, highlighting the difficulty and magnitude of the repair work required, however we are focused on concluding this vital work as soon as is practicable."

The council leader said the council would "maintain pressure" on those accountable to finish the project.

She said: "This structure has been a negative presence for years, and I share the frustration of inhabitants and area enterprises over these continued delays.

"Nonetheless, I also appreciate that the company has a responsibility to make the building safe and that this remediation has been extremely complicated."