Work begins on £10k revamp of city's iconic Playfair Steps

The steps, which were built in 1828, are being revamped as part of a 10,000 project, which will see the original stone repaired rather than replaced so they keep the look of wear and tear that has built up over the years.

The four organisations involved – Edinburgh World Heritage, the city council, the National Galleries of Scotland and the Halifax Bank of Scotland – are funding the project, which is expected to take a couple of weeks, equally.

Today was due to see work start on replacing the decorative ironmongery and railings.

Next week, the walkway will be shut off as work starts on the steps themselves.

Heritage leaders are delighted they are going to be able to restore the steps without damaging their unique appearance.

World Heritage Site project manager, David McDonald, said: "The Playfair Steps, with their distinctive ornate ironmongery, are a carefully-designed original feature, and used by thousands of people every week. It's these small touches that add such quality to Edinburgh's public spaces, and they deserve proper repair."

Despite being built 180 years ago, the steps did not receive their modern name until 1978, when they were re-opened by the then-Lord Provost, Kenneth Borthwick.

They were named after the 19th century architect, William Henry Playfair, who is known as one of Edinburgh's greatest architects and was behind the designs of the National Gallery and the National Monument.

The steps are the latest part of Edinburgh's historic landscape to be earmarked for a facelift.

In November, the council announced that some of the Capital's most famous statues and monuments were to be restored to their former glory at a cost of more than 500,000.

The National Monument on Calton Hill – better known to many as "Edinburgh's disgrace" – and the Melville Monument in St Andrew Square are among those being spruced up. The work, which is being carried out in phases over three years, and is also receiving funding from Edinburgh World Heritage and the city council, will take in most of the Capital's renowned monuments, with the exception of the Scott Monument, which was recently restored.

It will generally involve repairing cracked masonry, clearing away foliage, and cleaning metal and stone which has blackened over time.

Some structures, such as the Black Watch Monument, have cracks in the stone plinth which have to be filled.

Sarah Cran, head of sponsorship for Halifax Bank of Scotland, said: "We are delighted to be able to play our part in helping to restore one of Edinburgh's most famous thoroughfares."