The Tour de France draws huge crowds each year

"We've had the early conversations about the possibility of hosting the 'Grand Depart'," EventScotland's Leon Thompson told The Scotsman.

"It's an iconic world-class event, and the kind of event that would sit very well within our portfolio.

"We haven't discussed possible years yet, or where it might happen."

Huge crowds turned out to see this year's time-trial prologue in London followed by the first stage through Kent down to the Channel coast.

However, Tour officials have confirmed the event will start in Brittany and Monaco in the next two years.

And Thompson added: "All conversations are at a very early stage and we're really just looking at what the possibilities might be."