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Positioned on the most popular thoroughfares in the core of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre stands a imposing sight of metal poles and platforms.

For the past 60 months, a prominent hotel on the intersection of the famous Royal Mile and the adjacent bridge has been a shrouded blight.

Visitors cannot book rooms, foot traffic are directed through confined passages, and establishments have vacated the building.

Restoration efforts commenced in 2020 and was initially projected to last a brief duration, but now exasperated residents have been told the scaffolding could persist until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

The main contractor, the main contractor, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the first sections of the frame can be taken down.

A local authority figure a city representative has labeled it a "negative feature" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "highly inconvenient".

What is going on with this apparently perpetual project?

A Problematic Past

The sizeable hotel was developed on the site of the former Lothian Regional Council offices in 2009.

Estimates from when it originally launched under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the build cost at about a significant sum.

Remedial efforts got underway soon after the start of the Covid pandemic with the hotel itself closed to guests since 2022.

A section of the street and a large section of footpath leading up to the intersection of the tourist drag have been rendered unusable by the project.

Walkers going to and from the Lawnmarket and Victoria Terrace have been forced one after another into a confined, sheltered corridor.

Seafood restaurant a popular spot quit the building and moved to a different location in 2024.

In a statement, its owners said the ongoing project had forced them to change the restaurant's appearance, adding that "customers deserved better".

It is also hosts restaurant chain Pizza Express – which has placed large banners on the structure to remind customers it is open for business.

Delayed Plans

An communication to the a city committee in January this year stated that the process of "revealing" the exterior would commence in February, with a complete dismantling by the end of the year.

But the contractor has said that will not happen, citing "extremely complex" construction issues for the setback.

"We expect starting to take down portions of the structure close to the conclusion of 2026, with additional work continuing thereafter," they said.

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

Community and Heritage Concerns

Rowan Brown, lead of conservation group the Cockburn Association, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "protracted" for construction projects.

She said those involved in the project had a "obligation to the public" to minimise disturbance and should blend the work into the city's design.

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

"It is perplexing why there is not some attempt to incorporate it within the streetscape or produce something more creative and cutting-edge."

Continued Work

A official statement said work on "measures to beautify the site" was in progress.

They added: "We understand the frustrations felt by the community and businesses.

"This represents a lengthy and protracted process, reflecting the difficulty and scale of the restoration required, however we are dedicated to concluding this essential work as soon as is practicable."

The council leader said the city would "keep applying pressure" on those accountable to finish the project.

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

"That said, I also appreciate that the contractor has a obligation to make the building secure and that this restoration has proved to be exceptionally difficult."