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Positioned on the most frequented avenues in the heart of Scotland's ancient city sits a imposing sight of scaffolding.

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

Visitors find no available accommodations, pedestrians are directed through confined passages, and businesses have vacated the building.

Restoration efforts commenced in 2020 and was only expected to last a brief duration, but now frustrated residents have been told the framework could persist until 2027.

Further Delays

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the primary firm, says it will be "towards the end" of 2026 before the initial parts of the scaffold can be dismantled.

A local authority figure a council official has labeled it a "eyesore" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is going on with this notoriously protracted project?

A Problematic Past

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

Estimates from when it initially debuted under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the build cost at about £30m.

Remedial efforts started shortly after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

A section of the street and a significant portion of footpath leading up to the junction of the tourist drag have been left out of action by the work.

People on foot going to and from the Lawnmarket and Victoria Terrace have been required one after another into a tight, enclosed passage.

An eatery Ondine quit the building and relocated to a different location in 2024.

In a statement, its management said construction activity had compelled them to change the restaurant's appearance, adding that "patrons merited more".

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

Slipped Schedules

An update to the a local authority committee in the start of the year indicated that the process of "uncovering" the frontage would begin in February, with a complete dismantling by the end of the year.

But the firm has said that is not the case, citing "highly complicated" structural challenges for the delay.

"We expect starting to remove portions of the structure towards the end of next year, with further improvements continuing thereafter," the company commented.

"We are collaborating closely with all parties to ensure we create an improved site for the community."

Community and Heritage Concerns

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

She said those involved in the project had a "public duty" to reduce disturbance and should incorporate the work into the city's aesthetic.

She said: "It renders the walking experience in that section very hard.

"It is puzzling why there is not an effort to bring it into the street view or produce something more creative and innovative."

Project Response

A official statement said work on "solutions to enhance the appearance the site" was continuing.

They stated: "We recognize the irritations felt by local residents and shops.

"This has been a extended and complex process, demonstrating the intricacy and size of the remedial work required, however we are focused on completing this essential work as soon as is feasible."

The official said the council would "continue to put pressure" on those involved to finish the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a blight for years, and I understand the annoyance of residents and nearby shops over these ongoing postponements.

"However, I also appreciate that the firm has a duty to make the building structurally sound and that this repair has proved to be extremely complicated."