First Minister Jack McConnell has hailed the Highlands and Islands as "the best example of a renewed confidence and pride in Scottish culture."

Speaking at the Political Studies Association's 'Values of Britishness' conference in London on Monday, 28th November, Mr McConnell said:

"I believe that the combination of the act of devolution and good policy decisions, mean that our national confidence is beginning to increase.

When I was growing up, being Scottish was more about not being English. And in the 1980s about not being Tory - than it was about a positive expression of our culture and our background.

Now - I believe that has changed. That our definition of what it is to be Scottish has become a more positive statement. It is different things to different people - but it is about our heritage, accent, country side and arts and sport. It is about our values and our character.

And it is clear that the Highlands and Islands are leading the way.  Arguably, the traditional image of a Scot is the image of a Highlander but many have documented the oppression of those who live in the north.

However, now we are increasingly looking at the region as an exemplar for the rest of Scotland. This might not sound like much. But it was unthinkable over the last three centuries that the Highlands and Islands would be held up as an example to others. That a lead would be taken from the north of Scotland.

For three hundred years Highlanders were told that there was nothing good in their way of life, their traditions or their culture. And as a result, they suffered depopulation, declining cultural confidence and economic stagnation.

Looking at the historical context it is remarkable:

• That today, after hundreds of years of de-population, the number of people living in the Highlands and Islands is growing;
• that the unemployment rate is no longer a multiple of the Scottish rate - but a fraction of it;
• that in 2007, Scotland as a whole will celebrate a year of Highland culture.

We can see the psychological impact all these things are having - not just on those who are now growing up in the Highlands and Islands. But on Scotland as a whole.

The Highlands and Islands are the best example of a renewed confidence and pride in Scottish culture."

You can read more at the Scottish Executive website