The Western Isles have some of the finest beaches in Scotland

A sonic poster which plays classic Hebridean sound effects in bus shelters has been unveiled in Glasgow by Tourism Minister Frank McAveety.

The marketing ploy is being used by the Western Isles Tourist Board.

It is the first in Scotland to employ the system, which plays a three-minute tape of Hebridean sound effects as people wait in shelters.

Mr McAveety said: "It is really about portraying one of the beautiful parts of Scotland, the Hebrides, and the fact that there are hundreds of beautiful beaches that people can come to and enjoy themselves."

I am sure it will cause some amusement at first but once people realise what is on show and I am convinced they will explore it further Frank McAveety Tourism minister

The tourism industry is worth �4bn a year to the Scottish economy and �39m to the Western Isles economy.

Mr McAveety added: "The islands benefit tremendously from that as almost 20% plus of island economic activity is based around tourism.

"It is vitally important and what they need to do is reach out for new markets and new audiences."

Asked how he thought people would respond to the new posters, Mr McAveety said: "I think it is a tremendous idea.

London and Edinburgh

"I am sure it will cause some amusement at first but once people realise what is on show and I am convinced they will explore it further and hopefully visit parts of the Hebrides."

It is presently being played in one shelter, in Glasgow's St Vincent Place and will be launched in London on Tuesday and in Edinburgh in a fortnight.

Angus MacMillan, chief executive of the Western Isles Tourist Board, said: "We are hoping the campaign will bring in new business as we have a very high level of repeat business.