Graffiti in the Capital: Blight or Expression?

Graffiti has once again become an obvious issue in central Edinburgh, prompting renewed debate over its impact on the city’s built environment, civic identity, and public spaces.

In July 2025, at least ten businesses along Victoria Street, one of the capital’s most architecturally distinctive and tourist-frequented streets, were defaced overnight with name tags and spray-painted slogans. The incident, described in the media as “unprecedented,” sparked considerable local concern and highlighted a broader, long-term issue.

According to figures published by Edinburgh News, the City of Edinburgh Council recorded 5,191 graffiti incidents between 2019 and 2023, of which 1,853 were classified as offensive, including racist, homophobic or antisocial content. The city centre alone accounted for 1,369 incidents during that period. While the overall number of recorded incidents dropped in 2023 to 545, the number of offensive cases rose to 399, up from 374 the previous year.

In response, the Council has significantly stepped up its efforts through the “Pride in Our City” programme, backed by £750,000 in targeted funding and nearly £1 million in additional allocations confirmed in the February 2024 budget. The initiative has expanded the city’s graffiti-cleaning fleet, prioritised the removal of offensive content within 24 hours, and introduced specialist, stone-safe steam cleaning technology designed to protect Edinburgh’s fragile historic fabric. A neighbourhood-based approach, starting in Leith Walk, now allows residents to help identify local priorities.

Despite these commendable efforts, graffiti remains a persistent challenge, particularly because of the unique vulnerabilities of Edinburgh’s historic built environment. Much of the city’s architecture, especially within the World Heritage Site, is constructed from traditional sandstone, a material that is both porous and soft. Unlike hard, modern surfaces, sandstone absorbs paint and marker ink deeply, making complete removal extremely difficult. Inappropriate cleaning methods, such as pressure washing or harsh chemicals, can cause permanent damage by eroding stone surfaces or stripping away their natural patina.

The cost implications are significant. In some cases, a single incident of graffiti on a listed structure has required thousands of pounds’ worth of conservation-led cleaning. And due to the principle of minimum intervention that governs heritage maintenance, aggressive cleaning is often not an option, especially on buildings of national significance or within sensitive conservation areas.

Beyond the practical considerations, the cultural and civic implications of graffiti are equally important. For many residents and visitors, the prevalence of tags and slogans, especially on prominent streets and heritage buildings, raises concerns about declining urban care, the perception of lawlessness, and long-term reputational damage to the city. This is especially pressing in a city that trades so heavily on its historic appearance and global recognition.

At the same time, it is essential to distinguish between unsanctioned tagging, which is broadly recognised as vandalism, and legitimate forms of street art, which can contribute positively to the urban landscape. Edinburgh has already made some progress in this area through projects such as the Colinton Tunnel mural, which transformed a neglected underpass into a vibrant cultural site, and the Marine Parade legal graffiti wall in Newhaven. These initiatives show that creativity, when channelled responsibly and with community consent, can enhance rather than diminish public space.

As the city continues to grapple with the tension between enforcement and expression, Edinburgh’s approach must remain proportionate, thoughtful, and rooted in respect for its distinctive built heritage and diverse civic communities.

“We need to distinguish between vandalism and visual storytelling”

Sources:

City of Edinburgh Council – Graffiti Strategy and Services

Scottish Housing News – Extra Funding for “Pride in Our City”

The Scotsman – Victoria Street Vandalism

Edinburgh News – Graffiti Hotspots and Incident Data

BBC Scotland – Reports on Offensive Graffiti

Image: Pixabay