THE independence debate took centre stage at the Aye Write!

festival in Glasgow yesterday, with Herald columnist Iain Macwhirter among the panellists.

Mr Macwhirter was joined at the Sunday Herald Independence Debate by Dr Gavin McCrone, a former chief economic adviser to the Scottish Office, and broadcaster Lesley Riddoch. Ms Riddoch stepped in to replace former SNP leader Jim Sillars, who was unable to attend due to the death of his wife Margo MacDonald last week. The independent MSP lost her battle with Parkinson's disease on Friday.

Dr McCrone, author of Scottish Independence: Weighing Up The Economics, has previously written that he believes an independent Scotland would require its own currency - possibly pegged to sterling.

The sold-out event at the Mitchell Library was chaired by Herald columnist Ruth Wishart.

The Aye Write! book festival, sponsored by The Herald, runs until Saturday.

Picture: Jamie Simpson.