ALEX Salmond has been challenged to bring forward his blueprint for an independent Scotland by eight months after he named September 18, 2014, as the date of the referendum.

The First Minister was urged by Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont to immediately publish the Government's White Paper, setting out detailed plans for an independent Scotland, rather than in November as is planned.

Ms Lamont told MSPs: "If we are to have the transparent debate the First Minister says he wants, why does he not publish his full independence plans now.

"Why the delay? If he wants a proper debate then he must disclose that White Paper today. If not the whole country will be asking: 'What's the plan, Alex?'"

The White Paper is being drafted by teams of civil servants in a dozen "workstreams" covering issues from defence to broadcasting.

Ms Lamont accused the First Minister of self-aggrandisement and pomposity after he claimed the Scottish Independence Referendum Bill was the most important legislation ever to have been introduced at Holyrood.

She added: "Making an occasion out of a delayed announcement is an attempt to con the people into believing we have moved a step towards independence when we haven't.

"The truth is, I believe, we have moved a step down the road of cementing Scotland's place in the United Kingdom."

Tory and Conservative MSPs also rejected Mr Salmond's claim that naming the date of the poll amounted to a historic day for Scotland.

Willie Rennie, the Scottish Liberal Democrat leader, said: "After all the build-up, this looks like one of those occasions when the trailer is more exciting than the movie."

Scots Tory leader Ruth Davidson said: "After waiting two years the people of Scotland deserved to know when they will go to the polls.

"The First Minister now needs to considerably up his game, which means no more misinformation and baseless assertion.

"Voters deserve nothing less than the full facts of what a separate Scotland would look like."

The date was announced by Mr Salmond as the Government published its Referendum Bill.

It confirmed the question: "Should Scotland be an independent county?" and included a sample ballot paper.

The bill, expected to become law by December, also gave the Electoral Commission independent elections watchdog a role overseeing the poll.

In a brief statement to MSPs, Mr Salmond said: "A Yes vote means a future where we can be absolutely certain, 100% certain, that the people of Scotland will get the government they vote for."

Commenting later, he said: "September 18, 2014, can be a date which becomes etched in our nation's story as the day Scotland took a decisive step forward to a better, fairer future."

He was backed by Patrick Harvie, leader of the pro-independence Scottish Greens, who said: "Now we have the date for our diaries the effort to persuade those who are undecided must focus on the needs of real people and not just those with loud voices and deep pockets.

"We believe many more Scots can be be persuaded to vote Yes by a positive vision of a Scotland that serves the people's interests, rather than corporate interests."

Blair Jenkins, head of the pro-independence Yes Scotland campaign, said: "September 18, next year, represents a huge opportunity for Scotland because on that day we can move Scotland on to a new and better path."

However, Secretary of State for Scotland Michael Moore said: "I am confident when Scots go to the polls they will vote in favour of Scotland staying within a strong and secure UK family."