Ministers have set the ball rolling with a multi-million pound boost

The schemes range from a new municipal stadium on Edinburgh's western outskirts to an indoor sports arena in the east end of Glasgow.

Cash is also going to councils in Aberdeen, Falkirk, North Lanarkshire and Stirling.

The proposed Sighthill Park stadium in the capital will replace the out-of-date Meadowbank site.

Finance Minister Andy Kerr revealed that �49.5m was being handed out to six local authorities.

Plans include Scotland's first five full-size indoor football training pitches and a 5,000 seat national indoor sports arena.

Provision has also been made to meet the need for a national curling academy in Stirling and an indoor cycling centre in Edinburgh.

This will make a crucial contribution to the development of Scottish sporting talent David Taylor SFA

A sports centre with a 200m track is earmarked for the east end of Glasgow and an indoor football facility is proposed for Ravenscraig.

Sportscotland and the Scottish Executive invited bids in September for the development of a network of facilities for key sports.

Projects are aimed at Scotland's elite athletes but the facilities will also be open to everybody, especially youngsters.

Olympic curling gold medallist Rhona Martin said: "This is fantastic news for our sport.

"The development of a national curling academy will help to keep Scotland at the top of the world curling scene."

Lottery cash

Former long-distance running champion Liz McColgan added: "It is very pleasing to see the plans in place for the development of indoor facilities.

"This is particularly important in our climate and will allow athletes from the wide range of events in our sport to train all year round."

David Taylor, chief executive of the Scottish Football Association said: "This is an exciting start to a programme that will make a crucial contribution to the development of Scottish sporting talent.

"For many years now we have expected our sportsmen and women to compete at a world level whilst tolerating poor quality training facilities."

Finance Minister Andy Kerr described the plans as a "network of world class training and competition facilities across Scotland".

Ministers have stumped up �28.8m, including cash set aside for the Euro 2008 bid. A further �21.2m has come from sportscotland and the lottery.