STACEY MULLEN

As Spring shoppers wander through the streets of Stirling, the Wallace monument, pictured left, looms in the distance.

Despite the historical importance of the city, most people seem to be more interested in the bargains on offer in Debenhams than in pondering the legacy of Braveheart.

Yet ask anyone among the crowds at the Thistle shopping centre and they will have an opinion on Scotland, independence and the future of the Union.

"Independence would not be good for Scotland. I just don't think we could be self-sufficient enough. We need the Union to survive," says retired policeman Brian Ritchie.

The 54-year-old is in no doubt that he will vote Conservative, adding: "I think you have to be a union to go forwards. If we split up we are going to go backwards."

Teacher Jason Brooks, who lives in Dollar, is enjoying his Easter holidays - even as the shopping centre fills with children.

"I'm English but I live in Scotland," explains the 39-year-old. "I think both nations are so closely connected that I don't believe independence would do either country any good in the long run. We're in Great Britain and we belong together."

The SNP has been relatively weak in Stirling, with many council seats going to Labour or the Conservatives, but there are many who feel strongly that independence would be good for Scotland.

"I think our country is in a state at the moment and I don't think we can get much worse, to be honest. So maybe independence could improve things," says 23-year-old student nurse Sarah Reid, from Crieff.

Julie Furser, 38, from Alloa, says: "I like the idea of Scotland being independent, but financially I think we've got a problem, so that will affect my vote."

Callum Banks, from Edinburgh, is far more forthright. "I think our country should have its own independence and not be ruled by other countries such as England," says the 18-year-old.

In some of today's Scots, certainly, Wallace's spirit is stirring.