Pebbles from Gigha beach to be used on a Manhattan golf course

STONES from a remote beach will create a link between a Scottish island and New York.

Youngsters on the tiny island of Gigha are to collect pebbles and shells, which will be placed in a mini-golf course being constructed by youngsters at a Manhattan school.

The pebbles and shells will be shipped out to America after being collected by pupils at Gigha Primary.

And they will form part of the Scotland-themed mini-golf course being created by children at Manhattan's City and Country School.

The course is being constructed as part of an arts project and will feature landmarks from across Scotland.

Inspired by Gigha's community buyout, the New York school decided to include the small Scottish island on the course.

Details of the art project come at the end of Scotland Week, which helps promote Scotland in North America.

Education Secretary Mike Russell, who travelled to America and Canada for the event, said: "Scotland Week 2010 has been a great success with strong relationships forged and Scotland promoted as a great place to visit and do business."