A SCOTS council has come under fire for featuring a nuclear submarine on the front cover of a brochure for visitors to the area.
SNP deputy leader Angus Robertson was among those who expressed concern at the Argyll and Bute promotion saying it was the launch of "one of the worst advertising campaigns ever."
Pictures of the launch feature the Scottish Secretary David Mundell and Argyll and Bute Council leader Dick Walsh with a brochure headlined "Welcome to Argyll and Bute" and a picture of a nuclear submarine.
Behind them is a banner stating: "Argyll and Bute. A great place to live, invest and visit."
SNP South Scotland MSP Joan McAlpine added on Facebook: "One for the couldn'ae make it up file....Mundell and the leader of Argyll and Bute council promoting weapons of mass destruction as a tourist attraction."
But the brochure is not all that it, perhaps, seemed.
The council says the brochure has been produced by the Ministry of Defence and the council to "provide information on the area and the various organisations and services available to support the Armed Forces community and their families" as the government announced the growth of HM Naval Base Clyde.
The government, Royal Navy and Argyll and Bute Community Planning Partnership had just signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) agreeing to work together in delivering infrastructure and opportunities for Royal Navy families and local people to live and work together.
The event gave Mr Mundell the opportunity to announce that the billion-pound development of HM Naval Base Clyde will be a catalyst for growth and regeneration in the wider community.
The Ministry of Defence is investing in developing the base as the Royal Navy submarine centre of specialisation, which will see all UK attack submarines based in Argyll and Bute by 2020 and the eventual arrival of the Dreadnought class of ballistic submarines.
Naval Base Commander, Commodore Mark Gayfer said: "The Royal Navy is keen to ensure that the local community better understands what it brings to Argyll and Bute."
And Mr Walsh said: “This agreement is about making the development of HMNB Clyde work for Navy personnel, their families and the communities in Argyll they will be joining. It’s about delivering opportunities for new residents and local people to build happy, prosperous lives together. Helensburgh and its surrounding areas offer great benefits as a place to live, work and visit, and we very much look forward to welcoming new Navy friends and neighbours."
Through its redevelopment HMNB Clyde will grow its staff numbers from 6,800 to an eventual population of 8,200. The construction phases are expected to support a further 1,000 contractor jobs.
Mr Robertson's tweeted comment in connection with the brochure was later removed.
The brochure nevertheless became a major talking point forsome on social media.
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