Writer-director Terence Davies is eyeing an adaptation of the classic Scots novel Sunset Song to follow his critically acclaimed film of Edith Wharton's book The House Of Mirth.

The 1932 book, the first part of Lewis Grassic Gibbon's A Scots Quair trilogy, centres on Chris Guthrie, a proud young woman whose existence is defined and restricted by her relationship with the land and the Highland crofting culture. Davies was approached to direct by Edinburgh International Film Festival producer Ginnie Atkinson, who owns the rights to the property.

Atkinson has also brought Bob Last on board to produce the film. Last was a highly active executive producer on The House Of Mirth and has also been developing a number of other properties with Davies.

"Terence has been reading the book over the holidays and is giving it serious consideration as his next project," Last said. "The book means a great deal to a great many people so there is a responsibility to them. But Terence also needs to feel he can be bold in his approach and imaginatively exploit the heart of the book rather than just illustrating a piece of literature."