Professor Tom Devine called on it to engage more deeply with the debate on Scotland's future, rather than offering a "constant stream" of music and phone-ins. The Edinburgh University historian spoke out during a public debate at Glasgow's Mitchell Library, titled Independence and Identity, organised by The Herald's sister paper, The Sunday Herald.

He said: "I've long thought that BBC Radio Scotland is a national disgrace, and it's our BBC. There could be a resource issue but I don't think that excuses the constant stream of cheap musical programmes. It seems extraordinary that when we are debating the most important issue in the history of the nation, at least since the 18th century, that we should have such an inadequate national broadcaster."

About 400 people attended the debate, which also featured actress and independence supporter Elaine C Smith, folk singer Karine Polwart and doctor and former footballer Kenny Deuchar. Mr Devine warned the greatest long term danger facing the Union was the growing "cleavage" between a social democratic consensus in Scotland and the greater demand for neo-liberal policies south of the Border.

Smith said the result was "a matter of heart and soul".

She added: 'You should not think about independence in terms of whether you would be better off."