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On one of the busiest tourist streets in the centre of Scotland's ancient city sits a monolith of scaffolding.

For half a decade, a prominent hotel on the intersection of the famous Royal Mile and a major bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Visitors find no available accommodations, walkers are squeezed through narrow walkways, and businesses have abandoned the building.

Repair work commenced in 2020 and was initially projected to last a brief duration, but now exasperated residents have been told the scaffolding could stay in place until 2027.

Further Delays

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

A local authority figure Jane Meagher has called it a "negative feature" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "very troublesome".

What is going on with this apparently perpetual project?

A Troubled History

The establishment with 136 rooms was built on the site of the previous local government offices in 2009.

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

Remedial efforts started shortly after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

A lane of traffic and a sizable stretch of sidewalk leading up to the intersection of the tourist drag have been rendered unusable by the work.

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

Seafood restaurant a popular spot departed from the building and relocated to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a comment, its operators said construction activity had forced them to change the restaurant's appearance, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also home to popular eatery a pizza restaurant – which has placed large signs on the structure to inform customers it is open for business.

Missed Deadlines

An communication to the council's transport and environment committee in early this year stated that the process of "revealing" the façade would commence in February, with a total takedown by the year's end.

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

"We project starting to take down portions of the structure close to the conclusion of 2026, with additional work continuing thereafter," a statement read.

"We are collaborating closely with everyone involved to ensure we deliver an improved site for the public."

Community and Heritage Concerns

A heritage director, lead of preservation association the Cockburn Association, said the work had reinforced the city's reputation of being "protracted" for development.

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

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

"I don't understand why there is not an effort to incorporate it within the street view or create something more artistic and innovative."

Continued Work

A company representative said work on "ideas to enhance the appearance the site" was ongoing.

They stated: "We acknowledge the annoyances felt by local residents and businesses.

"This represents a lengthy and protracted process, highlighting the intricacy and scale of the remedial work required, however we are committed to concluding this vital work as soon as is possible."

Ms Meagher said the council would "continue to put pressure" on those accountable to finish the project.

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

"That said, I also appreciate that the contractor has a responsibility to make the building safe and that this remediation has proved to be exceptionally difficult."