The free postcards, being stocked in VisitScotland information centres on Deeside, are being promoted by Scottish Water, which is highlighting its 2010 Vision for Aberdeenshire - the £62m campaign of improvements across the region.

Visitors are encouraged to pick up the free postcards and either keep them as souvenirs or send them to loved ones.

Scottish Water is investing around £20m to ensure clear, fresh drinking water at Deeside taps with improvement projects at Aboyne, Ballater and Invercannie near Banchory. This will benefit local customers and support the tourism economy.

Steve Scott, Scottish Water's communities manager for Aberdeenshire, said: "We're proud of the quality of drinking water we supply on Deeside. It certainly leaves visitors with a good impression of the region.

"Drinking water is taken for granted - a compliment really - but we're keen to show just how much investment and hard work is required to keep supplies flowing and of a high standard. We're also keen for people to know that all this is happening while the average household water bill remains less than £1 a day.

"We hope to hear about these postcards spreading the Scottish Water message around the world."

Ken Massie, regional director for VisitScotland in the North-east, said: "I agree that we often take good quality tap water for granted in Scotland - something you perhaps only realise when you hear visitors to the country remark on its freshness. Such comments are a reminder that tap water is an important aspect of the overall visitor experience, so we're very pleased to be backing Scottish Water's campaign here in Deeside with the provision of these quirky piper postcards in the region's VisitScotland Information Centres.

"I hope they will serve as a happy reminder to visitors of the overall quality of food and drink found in Royal Deeside and Aberdeenshire."
The package of improvements on Deeside is being delivered by Scottish Water Solutions, a partnership of utility companies and contractors.

Stewart Davis, North-east Delivery Manager for Scottish Water Solutions, said: "Not only are these projects delivering great benefits to Scottish Water's customers and the many visitors to the North-east but they're providing a boost for the construction industry, supporting the local economy with skilled jobs. We're working hard on site to progress these improvement schemes with minimal inconvenience to local communities and aim to be finished next year."

The major drinking water projects on Deeside are:
* Ballater - A £3.4m drinking water production plant is being constructed to provide clearer, fresher supplies for locals and the many visitors the Royal Deeside community enjoys. The existing plant is known to struggle with demand if there is dry weather during the peak tourist season. Construction began at the end of 2008 with a view to completion in 2010.

* Invercannie - A £17m upgrade of the drinking water production plant near Banchory is well underway. This will mean a more secure supply to around 200,000 people throughout Aberdeen city and Shire. The work is due to be complete in the spring of 2010.