Sir Tom Hunter said a vote was needed to allow the nation to move on - either as an independent country or as part of the UK.

The billionaire tycoon and philanthropist said he wanted a "considered debate" followed by a referendum.

In an article in Scotland on Sunday, Sir Tom accused Scotland's political parties of "posturing, positioning and pontificating" over attempts to reform the constitution.

Despite this, his call for a referendum was welcomed by Mr Salmond. The First Minister said: "Opinion is coming down between those who believe in the right of the people to determine Scotland's future - a position carrying 80% support - and those who don't.

"The SNP's first choice is to have a for or against referendum on independence and that 2010 is the right sort of timescale."

Sir Tom writes in the newspaper: "It is my firm belief that the Scottish people deserve the right to vote unequivocally on one key issue. Other issues follow, but there is only one vote - do you want Scotland to be independent or not? Yes or no?"

He adds: "We need a majority of Scots to say 'yes' or 'no' to independence, end of story...a referendum is compelling because Scots want an answer to our future now so that we can invest in it, whatever we choose, for our collective future over the long term."

Sir Tom, who declines to back either option, says it is Scotland's right as a nation to "determine our destiny".

His entry into the debate comes after Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives announced they planned to support an independent commission to examine more powers for Holyrood, but without full independence.