Plans for a William Wallace theme park have moved the prospect of Scotland ‘s first purpose-built studio a step closer.

Scots actor James Cosmo, one of the people behind the Highland venture, believes the team has finally struck the right balance between commerce and art, which could get the £5m scheme off the ground.

He said a theme park based around the Scots hero would attract many visitors, and ultimately cash, to make the opening of the three-studio film-making complex a viable proposition.

Ready To Roll

He claims the business plan has now received financial support from the necessary financial backers and the scheme is ready to roll.

Mr Cosmo, a star of the Hollywood blockbuster Braveheart and the BBC’s Roughnecks hopes work will begin on the undisclosed site near Inverness in the New Year. And the complex could be open by next September. A full planning application is likely to be submitted to Highland Council in the next few weeks.

Mr Cosmo said, "We believe the idea will create a really good synergy between the artistic worl making the film, and the commercial world supporting filmmaking.