Debate on the teaching of Scottish history

She said: "Teaching our young people about the history and current context of Scotland is not about brainwashing them towards a single set of political beliefs.

"It's about making sure they have enough good-quality information and understanding to make their own informed judgments."

She added: "If we don't teach all of our young people properly about the history and current context of their country and society, the vacuum will be filled instead with the often misguided imagery of Hollywood."

She was questioned on the historical accuracy of the movie Braveheart by Labour education spokeswoman Rhona Brankin, but said it potentially prompted people to find out about real history.

She insisted: "We're not talking about some sort of public relations exercise glorifying Scotland's past, as perhaps Braveheart did."

However, Labour's Ken MacIntosh said the SNP did not have a monopoly on Scottishness.

He said: "This is actually about a more limited perspective, about trying to get young people to see the world from a particularly narrow and nationalistic viewpoint."

He added: "History is not about propaganda, but is about using your intellect and realising your imagination."