James Cosmo has seen Hollywood at work in Scotland

He said: "I would love to think that in 30 years time people would be making films in studios that we made.

"Once people get into that idea of, 'Why not shoot it in Inverness, it's cheap?', we will get more and more films. Don't forget, that's the way Hollywood started.

"It will be created in the psyche of the studios. They will realise that Scotland is a good place to come."

Braveheart had a five-week shoot in Fort William and Cosmo said he had been impressed with the money spin-off for the local community.

More than �30m has been spent on film-making in the Highlands in recent years and it is estimated that the movie business is worth �4m a year to the area.

Notable film successes include Loch Ness, Mrs Brown, Rob Roy and Braveheart.

Backers said that if the studio is approved, it is likely to be completed by next September.

Ewan McGregor: Interested in promoting film industry

Rick Wood, a partner at TVP Film and Multi-Media in Aberdeen, which is backing the scheme, said part of the problem with film-making in Scotland is that when studios finish shooting on location there are no suitable indoor studio facilities.

He said: "The problem is that when they come back, there's no studio and they end up in Ireland.

"Tax concessions play a part, but there are no facilities whatsoever in this country."

Detailed plans are expected to be submitted shortly and Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Highland Council officials have been informed.

Mr Wood said that Moulin Rouge star Ewan McGregor has indicated he would be willing to open the new film studio, subject to work commitments.

He said: "I have spoken to Ewan and he would be delighted because he's really interested in pushing the Scottish film industry in a big way."