Dramatic aerial pictures show Virgin Hotel Edinburgh development

The building of Sir Richard’s first hotel in the UK has been caught on camera in some dramatic drone footage.

Aerial shot of Edinburgh Vrigin Hotel development picture: William Bell

Luxury Virgin Hotel is currently being built on the site of the former India Buildings Edinburgh’s Old Town, part of the UNESCO World Heritage site.

Photos of the ongoing project were taken by BSB Structural Limited employee William Bell who captured the building from a birds-eye view using a drone.

When complete, the development will provide 222 guest rooms, bars, restaurants and function space and will create more than 300 jobs.

Aerial shot of Edinburgh Vrigin Hotel development picture: William Bell

The luxury venue, set to be completed by 2022, is being built with both old and new style architecture, according to Virgin Hotels, to “reflect the city’s eclectic and energetic style, while remaining true to its historic heritage.”

Virgin Hotels Edinburgh will be completed in partnership with owner Flemyn and asset managed by Siggis Capital.

In 2019 the project was delayed by a year after an extensive archaeological dig uncovered evidence spanning more than 1000 years.

Groundworks took around three times longer than expected due to the unprecedented nature range of objects and material dating back to the 10th century.

Aerial shot of Edinburgh Vrigin Hotel development picture: William Bell

Remains of buildings dating as far back as the tenth century pre-date Edinburgh Castle and the creation of the town burgh by David I by about 200 years, while the work has unearthed ditches and walls marking the original boundary of the city.

Also discovered at the Cowgate site were a human skull, a drinking vessel, shoes, jewellery, tools and knives, along with a ball used in a giant catapult and an early cannonball.

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