Councillors have approved seven further projects funded by Edinburgh’s Visitor Levy to safeguard heritage landmarks, enrich cultural spaces and improve city operations and infrastructure.

Following sign-off at a Full Council meeting, Culture, Heritage and Events funding will support Leith Customs House, the Tron Kirk and the Portobello Kilns. Under the City Operations and Infrastructure programme, backing has been agreed for The Causey, a trial bus link to the Lost Shore and the Edinburgh International Climbing Arena (EICA) at Ratho, city centre public realm upgrades on Princes Street and George Street, and new nature footpaths and walkways across the capital.

Together, the initiatives aim to bolster Edinburgh’s cultural offer, stabilise and rejuvenate nationally significant buildings and public spaces, and widen access to natural and historic attractions throughout the city.

The seven schemes were first proposed at February’s special Visitor Levy budget meeting, where councillors agreed an investment package of more than £90m over three years to sustain and enhance Edinburgh’s global appeal. Proposals were developed by Council officers drawing on public consultation, industry engagement, input from elected members and other stakeholders, with feedback also provided by the independent Edinburgh Visitor Levy Advisory Forum.

Project overviews include: development-phase support to restore Leith Customs House, Scotland's oldest Custom House (Category A‑listed), including a proof‑of‑concept exhibition and an economic impact assessment to unlock further funding; investment in the major restoration of the 17th‑century Tron Kirk, delivered by the Scottish Historic Buildings Trust and linked to Hunter Square’s redevelopment, to repair and future‑proof the site, improve accessibility, protect vulnerable features and build local heritage skills; and funding to rebuild the 1906 Portobello Kiln alongside the conserved 1914 kiln, meeting scheduled monument consent obligations, preventing further deterioration and delivered with Portobello Heritage Trust alongside proposed Portobello Promenade improvements.

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Nature Footpaths and Walkways funding will design and deliver accessible, inclusive routes that enhance biodiversity and visitor experiences, encouraging trips beyond the city centre to places such as the Pentland Hills, Cramond Foreshore and EICA at Ratho. The Causey will remake West Cross Causeway as a people‑first square with wider pavements, traffic calming and segregated cycle provision, creating a setting for performances, markets, art and community events; phase one delivers core infrastructure, with phase two extending towards Nicolson Street to strengthen area connections. A six‑month trial bus service now links the city centre, Lost Shore, EICA and Ratho, gathering usage data to inform decisions on a permanent route; the level of Visitor Levy support will be reviewed after the trial in line with the proportion of visitors using the service. City Centre Public Realm funding will support potential works to create more accessible, attractive, pedestrian‑friendly streets on Princes Street and George Street, with a report to the Transport and Environment Committee setting out the case for investment.

These additions sit alongside previously agreed programmes for delivery over the next three years, including investments in town‑centre high streets and targeted upgrades to coastal attractions with £2m for Cramond Foreshore and £2.5m for Portobello Promenade; £5m to restore Leith Theatre as a year‑round live music and culture venue; £3m to transform the Old Royal High School into an accessible national centre for music; and £2.75m for a Market Street Arts Hub, revitalising the City Art Centre and creating a new arts and learning destination at a key gateway.

Further citywide improvements include £3.85m to accelerate the setted streets renewal programme and £3m for new and upgraded public toilets; ongoing investment to keep streets and open spaces clean, with £100,000 per year to upgrade and replace bins in high‑footfall areas, £500,000 per year to expand graffiti‑removal support (including for private businesses), and £1.3m for additional city centre operations (waste, cleansing and patrols). The Council will also invest in premier parks, increase parks repair budgets, double the number of park rangers, and fund greening projects such as floral gateways to enhance the city’s look and visitor experience.

Under the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Act (2024), revenue must be reinvested in local facilities and services substantially used by business and leisure visitors. All investment streams will be formally reviewed alongside the overall scheme in 2029.