Romantic tour for 'One Day' fans

IT HAS sold more than a million copies and is widely expected to become a box-office hit when it comes to cinemas later this month.

Now fans of the bestselling David Nicholls novel One Day will be able to follow in the footsteps of the main characters, Emma Morley and Dexter Mayhew, as they make their way around Edinburgh.

The independent tourism body Marketing Edinburgh has created a walking tour of Edinburgh city centre that points visitors to the landmark sites of the fictional couple's meeting at Edinburgh University more than 20 years ago.

Visitors who embark on the six-mile walk will take in the venue of the couple's first meeting after their graduation, a romantic trip to Arthur's Seat, the site of Dexter's student flat and the New Town street where they share their first kiss.

The guide also encourages tourists to visit businesses, cafs and shops in the areas frequented by the characters, played in the film by Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess.

"The One Day itinerary will take visitors on a fantastic journey all across the capital, offering a unique experience of the city and the chance to see many of the movies' locations up close," said Lucy Bird, chief executive of Marketing Edinburgh.

"Not only does a production of this calibre bring a welcome boost Edinburgh's local economy, but it also introduces our beautiful city and its attractions, history and cultural heritage to a worldwide audience."

Nicholls's book, which was first published in 2009, was an instant hit. The film is due to be released on 19 August.

Emma and Dex form a friendship that continues throughout their lives. Beginning with their first encounter as students on 15 July, 1988, the novel revisits them on the same day for many subsequent years over the next two decades.

Jenni Steele, Film Tourism project manager at VisitScotland, said the tourism body had noticed a growing trend in "set-jetting" - when film fans visit the locations of their favourite movies - with one in five visitors to the UK claiming to have been inspired to visit by images they have seen in films and on TV.

"This is a great initiative that will allow visitors to Edinburgh to follow in the footsteps of Hollywood stars," she said. "Seeing Scotland's capital at its most spectacular on the silver screen is sure to make Edinburgh even more of a magnet for holidaymakers and this guide will enhance their stay."People inspired to visit Edinburgh after watching One Day will soon realise that the only thing better than seeing the city on the big screen is experiencing all the wonderful things it has to offer at first hand."

After leaving Edinburgh, Nicholls' couple move to London, where most of the remainder of the filming took place - and later spend some time in Paris.

Director Lone Scherfig, who is an official representative for Edinburgh as part of the "This Is My Edinburgh" campaign, praised the city as a film location.

"One Day opens and ends in Edinburgh, but a few shooting days only made you want to do more," she said. "It is a very generous and easy place to work."

Ros Davis, Film commissioner at Film Focus, part of Marketing Edinburgh, added: "One Day follows in the footsteps of other notable films that have provided an opportunity to showcase our stunning capital city."

The tour is available at Marketing Edinburgh's website, www.thisismyedinburgh.com.