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Positioned on the most popular thoroughfares in the core of Scotland's historic capital stands a monolith of scaffolding.

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

Travellers are unable to reserve stays, pedestrians are directed through narrow walkways, and businesses have abandoned the building.

Remedial work began in 2020 and was initially projected to last a brief duration, but now fed-up residents have been told the scaffolding could remain until 2027.

Further Delays

The main contractor, the lead company, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the first sections of the structure can be removed.

A local authority figure a council official has labeled it a "blight" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "very troublesome".

What is transpiring with this seemingly endless project?

A Troubled History

The sizeable hotel was constructed on the site of the old Lothian Regional Council offices in 2009.

Figures from when it originally launched under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the cost of construction at about thirty million pounds.

Remedial efforts got underway not long after the start of the global health crisis with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

A section of the street and a sizable stretch of sidewalk leading up to the corner of the Royal Mile have been left out of action by the project.

Walkers going to and from the a nearby area and another locale have been forced single-file into a narrow, covered walkway.

An eatery a well-known restaurant left the building and relocated to another city in 2024.

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

It is also hosts dining franchise a pizza restaurant – which has placed large signs on the framework to notify customers it is operating as usual.

Delayed Plans

An report to the council's transport and environment committee in the start of the year indicated that the process of "exposing" the façade would commence in February, with a total takedown by the end of the year.

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

"We anticipate starting to take down sections of the structure close to the conclusion of next year, with further improvements continuing thereafter," a statement read.

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

Local and Conservation Frustration

A conservation official, director of preservation association the Cockburn Association, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "protracted" for urban works.

She said those involved in the project had a "civic responsibility" to reduce disruption and should blend the work into the city's streetscape.

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

"It is perplexing why there is not an effort to bring it into the street view or develop something more aesthetic and avant-garde."

Project Response

A company representative said work on "solutions to aesthetically improve the site" was ongoing.

They continued: "We understand the irritations felt by the community and enterprises.

"This has been a lengthy and protracted process, reflecting the intricacy and size of the remedial work required, however we are focused on concluding this essential work as soon as is possible."

The official said the local authority would "maintain pressure" on those responsible to finish the project.

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

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