The widow of the Duke of Hamilton has declared her support for independence, saying she hopes it will secure a fairer Scotland.

Dowager Duchess Kay Carmichael said the "caring, compassionate" people of Scotland need to stand up and take responsibility for the country's future after years of being let down by successive Westminster governments.

She said: "I know, as my husband did, that Scotland can become a better, fairer and more compassionate nation as an independent country, in charge of our own affairs and making our decisions."

The former hospice nurse, who grew up in Torry, Aberdeen, was married to Angus Douglas-Hamilton from 1998 until his death, aged 71, in 2010.

As the 15th Duke of Hamilton he was hereditary Keeper of Holyroodhouse Palace, the Queen's official residence in Scotland, and carried the Crown of Scotland at the opening ceremony of the Scottish Parliament.

The late Duke was succeeded by Alexander Douglas-Hamilton, his son from his first marriage.

The Dowager Duchess lives in Dirleton, East Lothian with her two Staffordshire terriers.

In comments issued by the Yes campaign, she said: "I do believe that people in Scotland have a very sharp sense of what is right and wrong, what is just and unjust and that we are, at heart, a caring and compassionate nation.

"From that perspective, we have different priorities and we need the power of independence to be able to fully meet those priorities and, at the same time, to blossom and flourish as a nation in charge of our own destiny."

She added: "I think we need to complete this journey that started in 1999 with Angus carrying the Crown on a cushion into the new parliament.

"I know there are some people will say 'It's OK for her to talk, she's well off and doesn't need to worry'. And, of course, it's true that I am comfortable. But I come from a very humble background and I have not lost the sense of fairness and compassion that I learned as a child."