A LEADING figure in the independence campaign and a former Labour lord provost have come together to urge all Scots to celebrate the country's national day regardless of how they voted in the referendum.

Dennis Canavan, who chaired the Yes Scotland advisory board, and Eric Milligan, who was Lord Provost of Edinburgh for seven years, have issued a joint plea ahead of St Andrew's Day tomorrow.

The two veteran politicians said both Scotland's flag and Scotland's national day were "not the property of any single group or political party".

Mr Canavan, a former Labour MP who was also an independent MSP, successfully introduced legislation at Holyrood to make the day a bank holiday in Scotland.

Along with Mr Milligan, he said: "We call on all the people of Scotland to celebrate our national day, whatever way they voted in the referendum."

They stated: "St Andrew's Day is not the property of any single group or political party.

"Similarly the Saltire, which incorporates the St Andrew's Cross, is not the property of any single group or political party.

"The Saltire is Scotland's national flag and St Andrew's Day is Scotland's national day.

"They should not be hijacked by any political party or group."

The pair added: "We may disagree on the question of Scotland's constitutional future but we absolutely agree that the celebration of St Andrew's Day should be as inclusive as possible, embracing all the people of Scotland, irrespective of their politics, their faith or their ethnic origin.

"It is a day when we should all be proud to celebrate our national identity and our membership of the international community."

The bill that led to the act being passed was first proposed by Mr Canavan, then a Independent Member of the Scottish Parliament for Falkirk West, in 2003.

The bill was passed by the parliament in November 2006, and received royal assent on January 2007.