There are many buildings in and around the city and the Lothians that have been sitting vacant for years, waiting to have new life breathed into them.
Many important buildings - such as former churches and historic halls - have been granted Listed status, which protects them from being demolished or altered, but sadly does not ensure they are properly maintained.
As a result, many have become overrun with rot and, in some cases, are in a complete state of ruin.
While there are plans under way for some of these buildings, most have been left vacant with little talk of restoration.
From abandoned pubs to once magnificent buildings, these are some of the eyesores I would love to see restored. Let me know which buildings you would like to see tackled by leaving a comment below.
1. Abbeyhill Police Station
Designed by Robert Morham for the Edinburgh Corporation, the 55 Abbeyhill building opened in 1896 and was utilised as a police station until at least 1932. The building was used for a period by the Edinburgh City Mission and by the United Pentecostal Church. In 1979, the building became an Armenian restaurant and gained a degree of fame and notoriety for only being advertised by word of mouth, was challenging to book, and was lit only by candles. In February 2012, the building was added to the Buildings at Risk Register for Scotland and then, in November 2019, it was reported to be affected by rising damp. In June of last year, the B-listed building was put on the market though it remains vacant. | Google
2. Skivvy's Public House
This C-listed warehouse was built in the early 1800s. It is thought to be one of the oldest surviving warehouses in Leith. By the mid 1980s, the building was no longer in use as a warehouse and in the 1990s it was in use as a public house, known as 'Skivvy's'. | Google
3. Old Royal High School
Located on Calton Hill, the A-listed neoclassical building was designed in 1826 by architect Thomas Hamilton. After half a century of uncertainty over its future, an ambitious plan is now under way to convert the building into a National Centre for Music. We hope the plans move forward smoothly! | Google
4. George Cinema
The County Cinema in Portobello is a former Art Deco cinema on Bath Street. The building opened in 1939 as the County Cinema then later re-opened as the George Cinema. It is a Category C listed building. At a Planning Committee in 2024, council officers reported that even though the building would benefit from repair it was not necessary for the council to impose any notice on it to ensure it is preserved. A campaign group, Friends of the George, has been established to save the former cinema. | Google