Wizard plan being plotted to honour Rowling's magical worth to Capital YOUR SAY

AUTHOR JK Rowling is set to receive an official honour from the city, with the possibility of a street being named after her.

Former Lord Provost Lesley Hinds is leading calls for the council to recognise the contribution the Harry Potter writer has made to promoting Edinburgh on a global scale.

A civic reception is expected to be held in her honour, in addition to the creation of a more permanent tribute. Among the ideas under consideration are naming a street or building after the Merchiston-based author and setting up a young writers contest in her name. Ms Rowling is to be contacted and asked what she feels would be appropriate.

The only public sign of her connection with the Capital at present is a small plaque outside the former Nicolson's cafe, on Nicolson Street, where she wrote part of her first book.

Cllr Hinds said: "I think it would be appropriate for the city to pay tribute to JK Rowling, both for her contribution to the promotion of Edinburgh around the world and her encouragement of the joy of reading and literacy.

"There are all kinds of things we could look at, but the important thing is to have something appropriate that celebrates her achievements that she is happy with.

"Some form of children's writing competition or initiative in her name may meet with her approval, or we could have a street, a new building or development named after her."

Ms Rowling would be following in the footsteps of rugby legend Gavin Hastings if a city street is named after her. Cala Homes had to battle with the council to name a street after him in a new development in Roseburn in 1998.

That row eventually established the principle that streets could be named after living people in "exceptional circumstances".

Lord Provost George Grubb said: "JK Rowling has made a fantastic contribution to literature and Edinburgh has benefited greatly from her prominence on the world stage. I welcome the suggestion that her contribution should be celebrated in some way by the city."

Ben Carter, VisitScotland's area director for Edinburgh and Lothians, said: "JK Rowling's connection with Edinburgh has brought the city to the attention of millions of Harry Potter fans around the world. She is truly an exceptional ambassador for the city and the rest of Scotland.

"It is thanks to her that Harry Potter fever has taken hold of his Scottish birthplace."

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