For the 9th annual Tartan Day in the United States last week the Scottish National Party (SNP) Leader, Alex Salmond MP, visited New York to promote Scotland to the US as a re-emerging nation on the world stage and a place to do business.

As part of his visit Mr Salmond's tour included meeting with Kofi Annan to discuss the role of small nations in the UN, attending a lecture at Columbia University on independence and Scotland's place in the world and meeting with the Council of Economic Advisors on Capitol Hill to discuss trade, energy and opportunities for Scotland in the US.

Mr. Salmond said: "With more and more Scots now supporting a real parliament for Scotland, which is better able to improve our economy and national wealth, Independence is back on the agenda. But above all, my message to the USA is that Scotland has a great deal to contribute to the world and as an independent state would be a voice for peace, prosperity and partnership."