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The fences, cranes and machinery will be seen by hundreds or thousands of people every day. But how much do we know about what’s taking shape behind the scaffolding or other side of the hoardings?
There’s the hotel on George IV Bridge which has been shrouded in scaffolding for five years, the long-running question of the old Royal High School and changes to the plans for the former Royal Bank of Scotland site in Dundas Street.
Here is a round-up of 10 city-centre construction and restoration projects, what’s going on and when they might be finished.
The developments on Princes Street are so numerous we have compiled a separate look at these.
9. Nelson Monument
The 200-year-old Nelson Monument on Edinburgh's Calton Hill is closed while major restoration is carried out. The final phase of the project began in January and the monument is expected to reopen to the public in July. The work includes installation of some additional lighting and the restoration of its historic timeball mechanism to full working order. The monument, designed in the shape of an upturned telescope, commemorates Horatio Nelson and his victory at the Battle of Trafalgar. | TSPL
10. National Centre for Music
Enabling works are under way at Edinburgh's old Royal High School to turn the A-listed 1829 building into a new National Centre for Music. Previous plans for it also to become a new home for St Mary's Music School were dropped due to escalating costs. Contractors have now taken over the site and are taking plaster off the walls and lifting floorboards. Carol Nimmo, chair of the Royal High School Preservation Trust, says it is hoped the main contract will be signed in late summer and the £69 million project is scheduled for completion in summer 2027. The new centre will have three indoor performance spaces and the grounds will become Edinburgh's biggest new public park for 200 years. | TSPL