The flight of steps which descend from the top of Market Street to the National Gallery of Scotland in Princes Street Gardens have re-opened after a long closure.
Named in honour of the architect William Henry Playfair who designed them and the National Gallery building, the Playfair Steps will open and close daily in line with the opening hours for Princes Street Gardens.
The move comes ahead of the new Scottish galleries at the National opening to the public this September.
Responding to the good news, Culture and Communities Convener, Councillor Val Walker said:
We are delighted that the Playfair Steps have reopened for residents and visitors' use. The steps remained closed whilst construction work was underway at the neighbouring National Galleries of Scotland. During this time we were able to undertake repairs to the steps and pathways and give them a deep clean.
I very much look forward to visiting the 10 new rooms at the Galleries when they open in September and enjoying the key works that will tell the fascinating story of Scottish art.
This has been a highly complex construction project and I’m delighted it is now complete. Throughout, we worked with the Galleries to facilitate their redevelopment and the result promises to be of huge benefit to residents and visitors to the capital.
Image of Playfair Steps by National Galleries Scotland.