A major £55m plan to build an international film studio on the outskirts of Edinburgh could relocate to the European mainland if it does not receive backing in Scotland.

It was revealed this week that Guardhouse Productions and its backers wish to build a large, six-sound stage facility on the grounds of Heriot Watt University on the outskirts of the capital.

The studio, designed by Scottish architects Reiach and Hall, would comprise 10 buildings and the group of investors behind the plans are in talks with the University to build on Research Avenue North at the university's Research Park facilities.

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However, the company fears that without official backing from the body tasked with backing a major film studio in Scotland, the Film Studio Delivery Group - which comprises experts from Scottish Enterprise, Creative Scotland and the Scottish Government - their plan will be caught in a "quagmire".

A source said: "It is very discouraging. We have been literally begging them for months now to let us bring this high 8-figure inward investment, but to no avail."

Guardhouse do not need, but would welcome, public money from Scottish Enterprise to continue but are seeking an "official endorsement".

The company are frustrated with the pace of the process in Scotland and other countries in Europe, notably Italy, have also been courting the plan and its investors.

They have been approached by bodies hoping to build a studio in the north of the country which would also be useful for film makers and productions in Austria and Switzerland.

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However it is understood that Scottish Enterprise and Edinburgh City Council are keen to engage in further talks with Guardhouse Productions, which is based in the US and has, it says, major Hollywood backing.

Planning for another film studio plan, the Pentlands Studio at Straiton, is still to be considered by Ministers.

A spokeswoman for the Association of Film and Television Practitioners Scotland (AFPTS), said: "Scottish Enterprise needs to be more open to working with the film and TV industry, and with people who have experience of working on high-end TV and feature films.

"As a group of people with collectively many years of experience of working in studios, AFTPS would be happy to advise and assist Scottish Enterprise in establishing whether any plans for studios would be viable and practical."

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Allan McQuade, director of business infrastructure at Scottish Enterprise, has confirmed it has met with Guardhouse and described it as a "positive and productive meeting".