THE years have been turned back at a romantic meeting point in a Valentine’s Day restoration.

Courting couples began meeting under the Binns Clock in Edinburgh after the former department store installed the streetside timepiece in 1960.

But 60 years of Scottish weather took their toll on the cantilever clock, leaving it in a state of disrepair.

Now it’s hoped the landmark on the corner of Princes Street and Hope Street will become a hotspot for future meet-ups following an extensive restoration carried out in time for Valentine’s Day.

Couples needn’t even look up to check they’re not late for a post-Covid date as the musical mechanism has been fixed as part of the work.

It plays the traditional Scottish tunes Caller Herrin and Scotland the Brave at 30 minute intervals as kilted figures march out.

The National:

Those seeking the show should watch out at seven and 37 minutes past the hour.

The project was led by the Cumbria Clock Company, which has also worked on Big Ben. The specialist team dismantled the timepiece to study its original mechanics and colours, including the hand painted highland characters, before meticulously rebuilding it.

The year-long refurbishment was paid for by whisky brand Johnnie Walker as part of its city centre visitor experience development, and building owner Parabola.

The eight-floor site is set to open in the summer and will tell the 200-year-old story of the spirit, which is owned by multi-national Diageo.

It will also feature rooftop bars, sensory tasting rooms, private dining areas and spaces for live performances.

Barbara Smith, managing director of Diageo’s Scottish Brand Homes, commented: “The restoration of the clock has been a lovely part of our work at Johnnie Walker Princes Street. Its heritage and connection with the local community is so poignant, particularly now when people are desperately missing being able to meet and socialise together.

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“We wanted to unveil the restored clock in time for Valentine’s Day this year as a symbol of hope for the future, and we can’t wait to see future generations meeting under the clock at Johnnie Walker Princes Street, before enjoying a wonderful day or night out in Scotland’s capital city.”

Mark Crangle of the Cumbria Clock Company said: “We had to delicately strip back worn paintwork to source and match the clock’s original colours and gold trimmings and we spent a great amount of time on the speed and timings of the bells, tunes and pipers to ensure it all matched perfectly.

“Working on this restoration project has been such a privilege and I’ve really enjoyed hearing the stories of what the clock means to locals and how it’s played a role in so many special memories.

“These stories really consolidate why we do what we do, and we can’t wait for Edinburgh residents to now be able to enjoy the clock again in all its grandeur.”