The director of the Oscar-winning Disney Pixar movie Brave has added to speculation that a sequel is in the offing.

But Mark Andrews said a follow-up to the hit animation would only be made when the "right story" turns up.

Andrews, speaking to The Herald from the US, said he is working on an original animated film for Pixar not related to Brave, a tale set in medieval Scotland and voiced by a host of Scottish acting stars.

There have been rumours, internet gossip and hints that a sequel to the Scottish animation might be made, and Andrews has not ruled out that prospect. But he said the story needed to be right first.

Andrews, who has also worked on films such as Cars, Ratatouille and The Incredibles, also said he hopes to return to Scotland to teach again at the Glasgow School of Art (GSA), where he made a guest appearance earlier this year.

Pixar-Disney have not commented on whether a further adventure of Merida, the heroine of Brave, is in development, but VisitScotland, the tourism body, said it would be delighted if there were a sequel.

The Oscar-winning writer and director said: "I am currently developing another original animated feature for Pixar.

"And as far as sequels go, Pixar only does one if we find the right story. Story, story, story, is the key."

Earlier this year, Andrews, whose ancestors included Scots on both his mother's and father's side, stayed in Glasgow for a fortnight to teach at the GSA. He said he would like to return and renew his relationship with the school.

He said: "I think it went well. GSA is a fantastic school filled with fantastic teachers and amazing students.

"I was honoured to be able to come and speak to many different disciplines about my work in the entertainment industry."

He added: "Being that most of the students I was lecturing to were from other disciplines and not animation-focused - though I did get to lecture to animation students as well - everyone across the board was incredibly talented and driven. I would love to come back."

Andrews said staying in Scotland was an "amazing" experience, and he brought his family.

"My family came with me and while I was teaching they were having a blast in Glasgow. On the weekends we went out into the Highlands, climbed Ben A'an and explored."

Earlier this year, Andrews said of a possible sequel: "If I get the right story it would be fun.

"Get the gang back together again, add a few more new characters, find out what Scottish talents are out there who have yet to do an animated film and may want to - that would be fun."

"Surely the marketing and the success of Brave says 'you can have one, and they [the audience] will come', but whether we are going to or not I don't know, but it would be fun to do another one."

A Brave sequel would be a potential boon to the Scottish tourist industry.

VisitScotland made the original film the basis of a £7m campaign in 2012 with hopes that the Brave effect would boost the Scottish economy by £140m.

Andrews's trip to Glasgow came many years after first visiting the GSA on his honeymoon.

Mike Cantlay, chairman of VisitScotland, said: "After such a successful venture with Disney Pixar for the original Brave movie, of course we would be delighted if there was a sequel.

"One of the reasons we were so determined to work with Disney was that the movie was dubbed into every relevant language across the world, an ideal vehicle to reach emerging markets.

"What's more, Brave is primarily targeted at a young, influential audience.

"I genuinely anticipate Scottish tourism benefiting from the first Brave movie well into the future, and if there's a second film, that's even better."

A spokesman for Glasgow School of Art said: "Mark's visit was one of the highlights of the year for students and staff alike.

"His energy and enthusiasm were boundless, and the insight he gave through his lectures and mentoring has been invaluable.

"We were also delighted that as part of his visit we were able to take Mark to Pirrie Park Primary School to inspire a younger generation of budding animators."