THE Edinburgh Military Tattoo will reach more people than ever this year thanks to a big-screen version coming to the Capital.

Three screenings of last year's Tattoo are to be shown in the city ahead of this year's run of shows.

With tickets for the real thing now regularly selling out seven months before the event at the Castle Esplanade, visitors to the Scottish Storytelling Centre on the Royal Mile will enjoy high-definition quality on cinema-sized screens. Organisers say the experience will be like sitting in the best seats in the stand.

Tattoo organisers agreed to let Edinburgh-based firms TheatreHD and PlaybackHD record last year's event and are in full support of their bid to take it to more viewers than ever before.

It will be the first time the show has been screened for the public, and follows two private screenings earlier in the year: one to South African business leaders and the other to Tattoo officials.

Talks have already started aimed at taking the film on tour around the world, with possible locations including the United States, Canada and Australia.

Alan Downie, director of Bonaly-based TheatreHD, said: "Last year's producer, Mel Jameson, was one of the people who saw one of the pilots and he said it was almost as good as sitting in the best seats you can get.

"The film is specially created for the big screen and we want to create the effect of actually being there. We are trying to capture an audience that has not been able to get tickets. It's so popular now, and it sells out so early, that it can be difficult to get your hands on them."

The 80-minute screenings will all take place on July 30, at 6pm, 7.30pm and 9pm, with tickets costing £9 or £10.50.

It is being mainly aimed at local people who could not get tickets and tourists in the city too early to see this year's live show.

There are also plans to show the event on big screens at rural locations across Scotland, and it is hoped Tartan Week in the US may feature a screening.

Mr Downie, 54, a former BBC Scotland broadcasting director, said: "I've spoken to VisitScotland and I think this would be a great thing to help promote Scotland around the world. We were too late for Tartan Week last year but that's the ideal place and we hope to be there next time."

The project has been supported by Tattoo officials. Alan Smith, the Tattoo's marketing manager, said: "It would be great for members of the public but perhaps some of the members of the cast who haven't seen it before will enjoy going along too for a taster. The quality of the production is fantastic - something most of us will not have been exposed to before."

• Residents of the Capital are getting the chance to buy a last batch of tickets released for a Tattoo preview show. The tickets for the August 2 show go on sale on July 23 and will be available from 10am at the Tattoo Ticket Sales Office on Market Street or by calling 08707-555 118 on the day.