The plan has won support within the arts community

Frank McAveety denied media reports that he had said no to the idea.

But he told BBC Scotland that many of the details had yet to be finalised.

The idea of a national theatre has been floated for many years.

In recent years the plan has received support from the Federation of Scottish Theatres and the Scottish Arts Council.

It was contained in the coalition deal struck between Labour and the Liberal Democrats following the May election.

There is a commitment in the executive for a national theatre Frank McAveety Culture Minister

The partnership agreement states: "We will support a national theatre for Scotland to commission and create work in collaboration with theatre artists and theatre companies across Scotland."

Mr McAveety said he had been "intrigued" to read newspaper reports that he had rejected the idea.

"I have not said no," he told BBC Radio Scotland's Eye to Eye programme.

"What I have said is that we have got a commitment within the partnership agreement that we wish to move forward on a national theatre.

"The issue is about ensuring that we take everyone with us."

He said ministers wanted to make progress on achieving a national theatre.

Right structure

"There is a commitment in the executive for a national theatre," he said.

"The issue is about putting in place the right structure.

"That is a debate that we needed to address last year and that is why we reinforced the regional theatres, because they had been suffering for the last 10 years."

He said there was a firm commitment to establishing a national theatre - but it was just a question of how that would be constructed.

Folklife Festival

Meanwhile, Scotland's heritage and culture is being showcased at a major festival in America.

The Smithsonian Institution in Washington is highlighting Scotland as part of its 37th annual Folklife Festival.

The event will feature performances and demonstrations involving scholars, craftspeople and well known musicians.