WATER is leaking into the historic Playfair Observatory on Calton Hill after lead was ripped from its roof just weeks after workmen had repaired it.
The bill to fix the damage is estimated to be around £10,000.
The latest repair work, completed last month, was carried out more than a year after several tonnes of lead was stolen from the same roof.
The theft has sparked calls for better secu
rity at the facility to prevent further attempts.
In separate incidents, copper was stolen from the site's Tweedie building, which now needs immediate demolition because it has been left unsafe.
Copper was also stolen from a fire exit at the City Dome building and a copper lightning conductor was taken from its roof.
The thefts came after two massive spare propellers from the Royal Yacht Britannia made from phosphor bronze were stolen last month.
Also, at least 140 iron manhole covers have disappeared across the Lothians, including 40 in Portobello, recently.
The Astronomer Royal for Scotland today urged the city council to provide better security for the observatory complex.
Professor John Brown, an honorary professor at Edinburgh University, said: "Razor wire is not ideal but some kind of obstacle like that could make a difference. There should at least be cameras or automatic lighting.
"There's no point or putting lead back up there to be stolen again without adequate security measures in conjunction with it. It would be throwing good money after bad, but I would at least hope to see some temporary covering put up quickly to avoid any damage to the building and instrument from water."
The Astronomical Society of Edinburgh, which leases the buildings from the council, also wants better security at the site.
Graham Rule, the society's secretary, said: "The lead was recovered but it was ripped off, leaving a lot of damage to the roof. It cannot be reused so now it needs replacing.
"The carpets and floors are damp because of the water leaking in. We don't know when it will be fixed again."
A city council spokesman said: "The theft of this material is costly and extremely frustrating."
Sergeant Phil Smart, from St Leonard's police station, said: "We're investigating a large increase in the number of metal thefts recently."
The full article contains 383 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
