A Yes vote in September could provide rural areas with thousands of jobs, according to Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
She said independence would not create immediate success but would provide the powers to unlock the country’s potential.
But one politician dismissed her claims as “empty promises” from a Scottish Government that had “systematically taken away powers from rural communities”.
Ms Sturgeon spoke in Wick last night after SNP ministers published a paper on “rural connectivity” in an independent Scotland.
She told the audience at the Assembly Rooms that while Scotland was an “immensely wealth country”, it did not feel that way for many.
“With independence, success will not fall into our laps – but we will have the powers we need to realise this country’s great potential,” Ms Sturgeon said.
“We can make savings of £600million a year by not spending money on things like nuclear weapons and the cost of the House of Lords.
“Instead, we can invest in a fairer, more prosperous Scotland, with powers to counteract the dominance of London and the south-east and use Scotland’s immense resources to unlock thousands of jobs in rural areas.”
She said independence would provide Holyrood with the powers to unlock Scotland’s green energy potential, provide jobs through better broadband connections and boost tourism.
Independence would also allow the country to better represent fishermen in Europe and negotiate better payments for farmers.
Shetland Liberal Democrat MSP Tavish Scott claimed the Scottish Government had “systematically taken power away from rural communities” and pushed through reforms that had led to the closure of key public services such as local police stations and courts.
“Perhaps instead of yet another independence bribe, the Nationalists could use the power they have had for seven years as a government rather than simply make more empty promises,” he said.
“People in places like Shetland need to see ministers using the powers they already have to deliver for rural Scotland.”