With Glasgow hosting the 2014 Commonwealth Games and Gleneagles the Ryder Cup in the same year, EventScotland is keen to host further major events.

EventScotland's chief operating officer, Paul Bush, said: "The Tour de France is an obvious fit for Scotland.

"We can certainly operate it logistically, we've got a fantastic cycling heritage, we've had fantastic cycling performances in the last few years and in terms of visual pictures for the Tour and challenges for the riders, it would be absolutely outstanding."

Bush has met the Tour director Christian Prudhomme about the prospect of bringing the Tour build-up, the opening prologue – a short time-trial stage – and the first road stage, to Scotland.

But competition could come from across the world, with Prudhomme also fielding inquiries from Japan, the Middle East and the East Coast of the United States.

Rotterdam, in the Netherlands, hosted the 2010 Grand Départ, while this year's race will begin in the Vendée region of western France.

Bush hopes the impact in Scotland would be similar to when London hosted the 2007 Grand Départ, after which bike sales and cycling to work increased.



A cycle-hire scheme has since been installed in the city.

"I went to London a couple of years ago and saw it and it blew me away - it was amazing," added Bush.

"I would hope if we're successful in winning this bid in 2012 or 2013, it then gives us a three- or four-year run-in to develop a greater culture of cycling and then when the Tour comes, it gives it an added boost."

The capital's Royal Mile and Princes Street in particular would provide an obvious and visually stunning circuit for the prologue while there be an opportunity for stage starting in Edinburgh and finishing in Glasgow, perhaps visiting the Trossachs and skirting Loch Lomond on the way.

"We want to position Scotland as one of the best locations in the world to host an event over the next few years," said Bush.

"There are some events, like the Olympics or the World Cup, that Scotland will never be able to host but we are trying to bring more events and the building of the Scottish National Arena for the Commonwealth Games will make a huge difference in attracting major events."