It might seem like Edinburgh's history is secure, safe and that its beautiful buildings will be around for generations, but sadly that isn't the case for many grand and significant structures in the Scottish capital.
A quick scan of Historic Scotland's Buildings At Risk register shows that time is running out to save some of Edinburgh's most magnificent buildings, as well as many hidden and quirky gems.
Even grand and iconic landmarks such as the Royal High School - a 19th-century neoclassical triumph on Calton Hill - is currently at risk, as MSPs and developers endlessly debate about how to save it.
Some buildings, it seems, can only be saved by conversion into hotels, or - in the case of the historic La Scala Cinema on Nicolson Street (most recently a bingo hall) by being turned into a Wetherspoons.
The bizarre and hilarious story behind this derelict Edinburgh building is stranger than fiction
Then there's the strange case of the old Odeon cinema on Clerk Street - a beautiful art deco cinema that opened in 1930 and is the only surviving example of an atmospheric cinema in the UK; beautiful cinemas with star-dotted ceilings and pillars that made it seem like you were in a Greek amphitheatre.
The register currently lists it as under restoration, but current owners the G1 Group don't seem to be carrying out any work and haven't responded to multiple requests for comment about plans to save it.
With other properties a slow slide to complete dereliction is much clearer, and Edinburgh Live is today calling for urgent action as we kick start our month-long 'Stop the Rot' campaign.
Check our gallery to find out more about these buildings, which we need to save before its too late.
And join our Edinburgh Back In Time Facebook group for updates, pictures, video - and to post your own comments and photos to help the campaign and highlight parts of our history you would like to see preserved.
We'll be bringing you more on this topic throughout the month of May; please get in touch if there is any piece of Edinburgh's heritage you feel concerned about. You can email news@edinburghlive.co.uk.
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