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On one of the most popular thoroughfares in the heart of Scotland's historic capital looms a monolith of metal poles and platforms.

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

Tourists cannot book rooms, foot traffic are squeezed through narrow walkways, and businesses have abandoned the building.

Repair work started in 2020 and was initially projected to last a few months, but now fed-up residents have been told the structure could persist until 2027.

Further Delays

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the primary firm, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the initial parts of the scaffold can be taken down.

The city's political leader Jane Meagher has called it a "eyesore" on the area, while conservationists say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is happening with this seemingly endless project?

A Problematic Past

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

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

Work on the building got underway not long after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself not accepting visitors since 2022.

A section of the street and a sizable stretch of pavement leading up to the intersection of the tourist drag have been left out of action by the project.

Pedestrians going to and from the Lawnmarket and Victoria Terrace have been compelled in a line into a tight, enclosed passage.

Seafood restaurant a popular spot left the building and moved to St Andrews in Fife in 2024.

In a release, its owners said the ongoing project had forced them to change the restaurant's facade, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also the location of restaurant chain Pizza Express – which has displayed large notices on the structure to notify customers it is still open.

Slipped Schedules

An communication to the a local authority committee in January this year stated that the process of "exposing" the façade would start in February, with a full removal by the end of the year.

But SRM has said that is not the case, citing "extremely complex" structural challenges for the delay.

"We anticipate starting to remove sections of the scaffold close to the conclusion of 2026, with subsequent enhancements continuing thereafter," they said.

"Efforts are underway closely with all parties to ensure we deliver an better site for the local area."

Local and Conservation Frustration

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

She said those working on the project had a "public duty" to minimise inconvenience and should integrate the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It causes the walking experience in that area of the city very hard.

"It is puzzling why there is not a try to incorporate it within the street view or produce something more creative and avant-garde."

Continued Work

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

They continued: "We recognize the annoyances felt by nearby inhabitants and businesses.

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

The official said the local authority would "continue to put pressure" on those involved to complete the project.

She said: "This scaffolding has been a blight for years, and I share the annoyance of inhabitants and local businesses over these persistent hold-ups.

"That said, I also acknowledge that the company has a obligation to make the building secure and that this repair has turned out to be extremely complicated."