ITis a bold claim, and will not be universally accepted, but it will generate publicity. Councillors in Angus yesterday decided to adopt the logo of "Scotland's birthplace".

Members of the SNP-controlled authority made the decision on the basis of a leading historian's opinion that the claim is perfectly valid.

Now the boast "Angus - Scotland's birthplace" will be used on road signs, a website, and on all the marketing material of the "Angus Ahead" campaign to encourage civic pride, and promote tourism and investment.

There had been considerable doubt expressed about using the "Scotland's birthplace" strapline in the Angus Ahead campaign and the matter has been under discussion for many months.

At a branding workshop 15 months ago, it came second in the voting to "Angus Naturally", but left "Inspirational Angus" trailing in its wake. Finally, backing from a panel of business, tourism, youth and community leaders, and the seal of approval from Professor Ted Cowan, of Glasgow University, persuaded the councillors.

Professor Cowan stated:

"Arguably nowhere in the country can claim this appellation with total or convincing accuracy. Argyll is often credited with being the nation's 'heartland' or 'cradle'.

"Glen Trool in Galloway is dubbed as 'The Cradle of Scottish Independence' because it was the site of Robert Bruce's first victory over the English in 1307 in what was really more of a skirmish rather than a battle.

"Both Newstead, near Melrose, and Meigle claim to be the oldest places in Scotland, while others would argue for Fortingall or, with greater archaeological support, Skara Brae in Orkney.

"But of course none of these places were in Scotland proper when they first came into being, and so would not rate according to the argument . . .

that if any place in Scotland can claim to be the kingdom's birthplace, it must be Forteviot or Scone."

Professor Cowan added: "As it happens, both of the last mentioned were in the province of Angus in Pictish times and in the ninth century both places were in the kingdom of Alba."

He goes on to give three primary reasons which he believes justifies the claim.

Firstly, Angus was the setting for a battle of tremendous significance which is said to have blocked Anglian/Northumbrian/English expansion to the north at a crucial historic moment.

Had they been victorious on that occasion, it is possible that Pictland would have become English and the later merging of the Picts and the Scots into the nascent kingdom of the Scots would never have taken place.

He said that perhaps Angus's main title to Scotland's birthplace derives from the historical fact that it was part of the heartland of the kingdom of the Picts.

In the mid-ninth century, Kenneth MacAlpin, king of Dalriada, moved eastwards into Pictland and established a new entity known as the kingdom of the Picts and the Scots, and most historians agree that the beginnings of the Scottish nation can be traced from this.

The third main claim to the title is that Scotland's birthplace derives from the Arbroath Declaration which, in the past 20 years, has become associated with Tartan Day.

On April 6, 1320, the declaration of Arbroath was signed and bore the seals of 38 Scottish Lords. Sent to the Pope, it urged him to set aside English claims on Scotland and proclaim the nation as its own country.

Professor Cowan said his report was intended to provide plausible arguments to justify a claim being used in a metaphorical, rather than strictly historical, sense.

He remained confident that the case for adopting it was quite convincing.

David Selfridge, convener of the infrastructure services committee, which approved the move, said: "The purpose of this is to promote Angus and although there is a lot of controversy, there is controversy over many other straplines.

"Perth and Kinross claims to be the 'heart of Scotland' which I am told is actually Callander, which has nothing at all to do with Perth and Kinross. There is no difference between Angus's attempt to get a punchy strapline and any other council in Scotland.

"Professor Cowan's report says 'go ahead'. I also understand Stirling is considering a similar claim and I am glad it has gone through so we make them think twice. We want to be first, that is the bottom line."

IN THE FRAME

Forteviot, near Perth, capital of King Kenneth MacAlpin, first King of Picts and Scots, a title he took in 843.

Athelstaneford, East Lothian, birthplace of Scotland's flag.

Dunadd, Argyll, the ancient capital of Dalriada.

Scone, to where King Kenneth MacAlpin had the Coronation Stone taken.

Scourie, Sutherland, where lewisian rocks, the oldest in Scotland, were found.

Glen Trool, Galloway, dubbed the Cradle of Scottish Independence because of Bruce's first victory over the English there in 1307.

Newstead, near Melrose, and Meigle in Perthshire both claim to be the oldest places in Scotland.

Skara Brae, Orkney, oldest documented civilisation.