Scottish independence: "It is head and heart" says Salmond

Alex Salmond, leader of SNP, says Scottish independence is "a noble ideal".

The first minister's remarks come as the Scottish Parliament is set to debate Scotland's future - one year before voters are to decide in a referendum whether it should become an independent country.

Mr Salmond told BBC Scotland's political editor Brian Taylor that: "It is head and heart".

'No' campaigners argue that Scotland's best interests lie in remaining part of the larger UK.