More than £3m is being given to artistic organisations in Ayr, Dunoon and Perth in a series of awards to boost the "cultural infrastructure" of Scotland.

The "Large Capital Funding" grants have been given by Creative Scotland to the Gaiety Theatre in Ayr, the Burgh Hall in Dunoon and Horsecross Arts in Perth.

Originally built in 1902, the Gaiety is undergoing extensive redevelopment.

The theatre wishes to position itself as a cultural "hub" for Ayrshire and it has received an award of £1,176,277.

Jeremy Wyatt, the executive director of Gaiety Theatre said: "This capital grant from Creative Scotland is essential to the future of the Gaiety Theatre.

"It will enable us to address urgent heating and ventilation problems, restore the main auditorium and invest in modern stage equipment.

"It will also allow us to improve the whole audience and performer experience. Most importantly it will mean we can continue to act as a focus for developing all aspects of the performing arts in Ayrshire."

The Burgh Hall in Dunoon, a B listed building in the Argyll town, has been undergoing a long period of redevelopment as an arts and cultural venue.

It has received £465,000 which will be used to realise its plans to create a "multi-use arts hub", with the main hall capable of supporting a mixed performance programme, events and functions, and larger exhibitions.

It will also house a café and a range of meeting spaces.

John McAslan, the leading Scottish architect and chairman of the Dunoon Burgh Hall Trust said: "On behalf of the Dunoon Burgh Hall Trust, I'd like to say how delighted we are that Creative Scotland is supporting us in this way with such a generous capital works grant.

"This is a clear demonstration of the support we have from Creative Scotland and it puts us on schedule to begin works in early 2015 with completion the following year."

Perth Theatre is more than 100 years old and one of Scotland's oldest theatres.

The redevelopment of the theatre will "restore the historic auditorium to its original splendour, transforming a much loved building into one of Scotland's most exhilarating theatre spaces."

The theatre is currently closed for redevelopment and expected to reopen in early 2017, and has been given a £2m award.

Colin McMahon, chief executive of Horsecross Arts, which runs the theatre, said: "Horsecross Arts is pleased that Creative Scotland has confirmed its pledge of £2m from its large capital fund towards the re-development and restoration of Perth Theatre.

"This will form part of the £13.5 million pledged by our project partners Perth & Kinross Council, The Gannochy Trust, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), trusts and foundations, generous individuals and other supporters and funding bodies.

"We continue to work towards raising an additional £1.5 million to ensure that the newly transformed venue is fully equipped and furnished for a new century of theatre in Perth."

Janet Archer, chief executive of Creative Scotland, said: "The cultural infrastructure of Scotland will be boosted by these important and ambitious projects which have been a number of years in the planning.

"These new developments will transform these three venues to create improved spaces and enable artists and creative people to inspire audiences across Scotland through an exciting mix of creative experiences, stimulating social, cultural and economic regeneration in each location."