diff --git a/scripts/plotutils.py b/scripts/plotutils.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c87ebf7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scripts/plotutils.py
@@ -0,0 +1,69 @@
+# ==========================================================================
+# This script provides a number of functions that are useful for handling
+# CTA observations.
+#
+# Copyright (C) 2011-2014 Juergen Knoedlseder
+#
+# This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+# it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+# the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+# (at your option) any later version.
+#
+# This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+# but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+# MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+# GNU General Public License for more details.
+#
+# You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+# along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+#
+# ==========================================================================
+import ctools
+import gammalib
+try:
+        import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
+        has_matplotlib = True
+except:
+        has_matplotlib = False
+try:
+        import aplpy
+        has_aplpy = True
+except:
+        has_aplpy = False
+
+# ===================== #
+# Plot skymaps          #
+# ===================== #
+def plotskymaps(modelmap, countmap):
+    """
+    Plot the model map
+    
+    Keywords:
+     modname - model input name
+     evtname - events input name
+    """
+
+    # load model map
+    fig = plt.figure()
+    f1 = aplpy.FITSFigure(countmap, figure=fig, subplot=[0.1,0.1,0.35,0.8])
+    f1.set_tick_labels_font(size='small')
+    f1.set_axis_labels_font(size='small')
+    f1.show_colorscale()
+
+    f1.tick_labels.set_yformat('dd:mm:ss')
+    f1.tick_labels.set_xformat('hh:mm:ss')
+    f1.axis_labels.set_xtext('Right Ascension (J2000)')
+    f1.axis_labels.set_ytext('Declination (J2000)')
+    f1.ticks.set_length(10.5, minor_factor=0.5)
+
+    f2 = aplpy.FITSFigure(modelmap, figure=fig, subplot=[0.5,0.1,0.35,0.8])
+    f2.set_tick_labels_font(size='small')
+    f2.set_axis_labels_font(size='small')
+    f2.show_colorscale()
+
+    f2.hide_yaxis_label()
+    f2.hide_ytick_labels()
+
+    fig.canvas.draw()
+    fig.show()
+