Scottish public funds will be spent on the US TV production Outlander, which is to be based in a new studio facility outside Glasgow from September.

First Minister Alex Salmond confirmed the time-travel drama, and its studio, will receive money from the arts funding body Creative Scotland.

Mr Salmond said the funding would contribute to shooting and studio costs.

He said it was with the aim of "maximising the economic and creative benefits of the production and creating a lasting studio legacy that would enable further large-scale productions to be filmed."

Mr Salmond said there was huge potential to make Scotland a major centre for film production. He added: "As a sci-fi fan, I am particularly thrilled the time-travel drama Outlander has been brought to Scotland."

It is estimated the ­production, which will star Scots actor Sam Heughan, will bring £20m to the Scottish economy.

The level of shooting and studio funding offered to Outlander by Creative ­Scotland is still being negotiated.

Creative Scotland can offer a maximum of £300,000, and are also in discussions to support the studio.

It is not yet known whether the Outlander studio, in a warehouse in Cumbernauld, will be the long-term solution to Scotland's film studio needs.

David Jack, a project manager at Scottish Enterprise, who is leading the Government's feasibility study into a Scottish film studio, said it is "more likely today than it's ever been in the past."

He added: "Our preference would be for this to be private sector led."