Female nationalists have ­criticised an "insulting" Better Together campaign video that they claim depicts Scottish women as "daft ditherers" who do not understand enough about the independence referendum.

The YouTube video features an actress voicing concerns about independence which Better Together say was drawn from the verbatim comments of women in focus groups and doorstep canvassing.

Better Together urges women to vote No not only for "the love of our country" but for "the love of our families".

But Women For Independence say "the implication that a No vote is the only choice a mother should be making for her children is insulting".

A spokeswoman said: "We think it's disappointing that Better Together decided to portray Scotland's women in this way. The narrative suggests women still making up their minds how to vote don't understand enough about the issues to arrive at an informed decision."

Kirsty Strickland, first-time mother to six-month-old Orla, has said: "The Better Together referendum broadcast was an absolute embarrassment. It portrayed women voters as daft ditherers who don't understand the magnitude of the decision they have to make."

Launching the video yesterday, Better Together campaign director Blair McDougall said: "The key factor for people isn't the love of our country as both Yes and No voters love Scotland. The key factor is the love of our families."

Commenting on the Women For Independence criticism, Labour MSP Jackie Baillie said: "The views are those of the many articulate and intelligent women we have spoken to on the doorstep."