MURRAY-mania should bring an economic boost of up to £500 million to the UK tennis industry over the next year.

But by becoming the first Brit to clinch the men's singles title at Wimbledon in 77 years, the Scot is less likely to have an impact on the political scene, according to experts.

Murray's victory last Sunday was a moment of sporting glory for the nation. But it also triggered a political spat, with David Cameron criticising Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond for unfurling a large Saltire behind him amid the celebrations.

With the independence referendum looming large on the horizon, there is little doubt both politicians are eager to claim the country's new hero, in the hope a resulting surge of Scottish self-confidence or British patriotism will boost their respective Yes and No campaigns.

Murray himself entered the political fray last week by indicating he may declare his stance on the issue ahead of the referendum next year.

Historian Professor Tom Devine, of Edinburgh University, said Murray's Wimbledon win would help to boost the confidence of the Scottish nation, but cautioned that any effect on the independence debate was likely to be "marginal and temporary".

"It is a complex process and this [Wimbledon] is only a minor influence on it," he said. "But it does emphasis once again – as in the case of Chris Hoy and Professor Peter Higgs [after whom the Higgs Bosun, or God particle, was named] – that the Scots are still capable of very great things. It is not simply a part of the national past."

The success of the British Olympics team last year was cited by some as resulting in a boost for British patriotism.

However, Devine pointed to the example of the 1995 film Braveheart – which he said now had "zero" impact on the referendum debate – as an example of how such cultural factors only had a short-term effect.

He added: "If the win had come a week before the referendum, there could have been a significant effect at the margin. I think these things tend to not disappear from the consciousness, but they do tend to be less effective over time."

Devine argued Glasgow's hosting of the Commonwealth Games next year – which will take place around two months before the independence vote – could potentially have more impact.