Scots across the country are to get the chance to see the sell-out Edinburgh Military Tattoo next year, as part of the celebrations of the 250th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns.

The event on the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle invariably sells out around nine months in advance, but next year the organisers plan to take one of the world's great spectacles to other historic sites or to major sporting venues around the country so that people can share the experience for free.

The initiative was announced yesterday by First Minister Alex Salmond, who said: "With the Year of Homecoming fast approaching, the Edinburgh Festival has now become a living, vibrant invitation for people around the world to return in 2009 to celebrate Scotland's creative connections.

"The Edinburgh Military Tattoo is one of the summer highlights - a spectacular show that sees Edinburgh Castle transformed into a dazzling stage set. That's why I'm delighted that next year it will be widening access and enabling more Scots across the country to be a part of the experience.

"For homecomers this will open up opportunities to explore Edinburgh and beyond and to be a part of the historic extension of the Military Tattoo."

Mr Salmond also announced a further £250,000 towards the £5m budget of the Homecoming project to attract back the Scots diaspora. The whole Homecoming theme is built around the 250th anniversary of the birth of Burns and festivals across the country next year have agreed to reflect that and the Tattoo will share that theme.

Major General Euan Loudon, chief executive and producer of the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, said he was happy to see a "creative peak" from the whole Tattoo taken around the country, possibly to historic places such as Linlithgow, Ayr or the Borders, but he stressed that it would depend on negotiations with local authorities to determine the times and venues.

He said he was open to suggestions from local authorities about venues. Most of these shows would be scaled down from around 90 minutes to just over an hour and would have to be within a travelling time of Edinburgh to allow return in time for the full performance in Edinburgh, but more distant performances may be possible at the beginning or end of the main run.

The First Minister was enthusiastic about the idea, saying that major sporting stadia could be used, depending on availability and demand.

At a reception to welcome visiting arts groups to Scotland, Mr Salmond said: "The Edinburgh Festivals combine to create the world's largest arts festival, providing an international playground for Scottish Culture, and a massive injection of energy, talent and tourism. Everyone involved makes a vital contribution to the buzz and the atmosphere that gives the Festivals their reputation."