More than 11,000 people have viewed the First Minister’s White Paper since it was put on the Internet five days ago. A further 5,000 have accessed the website, http://www.anationalconversation.com, which outlines why the Scottish Executive believes in the break up of the UK.

Figures also show more than 1,000 people have left comments, many in favour of a split. In one powerful blog, number 938, David Ardrey, from Cumbernauld, said all of Scotland should unite for independence.

He wrote: “It should be remembered that the journey along the road to independence will be littered by lies, dammed lies and statistics, collated by the Westminster machine, echoed by British institutions and the Scottish political unionist parties.

“This machine will work relentlessly to distribute propaganda in an attempt to suppress and manipulate the
fragile Scottish psyche of doubt and our growing aspiration before we can fully comprehend the benefits of Independence.”

Executive officials yesterday said the daily hits rate is “significantly ahead” of that on the Clearing the Air website ahead of the smoking ban. A spokeswoman for the First Minister, pictured, said: “This is the most wide-ranging, inclusive, imaginative and direct effort from any Scottish Government to engage with every person in this country.”