Christmas time… politics and whine: Salmond has card marked over 'political' image

And last night First Minister Alex Salmond was accused of politicising Christmas after he unveiled the image on his official festive card.

The picture is from a specially commissioned painting A New Journey by Scottish artist Gerard Burns.

The name of the painting has been interpreted as evoking Mr Salmond's push for a referendum next year accompanied by classic nationalist iconography.

David McLetchie MSP, Scottish Conservative chief whip, said: "Alex Salmond is trying to politicise Christmas, having already attempted to politicise the Saltire, Scotland's national days and our children's education. His obsession with independence is blinding him to reality.

"He should get on with what he was elected to do, which is improving our schools and hospitals, and ditch these separatist stunts. For the overwhelming majority of Scots Alex Salmond's so-called 'journey to independence' is a road to nowhere."

It was also pointed out that this is the third year in a row the First Minister's card has failed to include a reference to Christmas and the festive period itself.

Liberal Democrat chief whip Mike Rumbles said: "I'm sure people would be more impressed if the First Minister had thought about the message of Christmas rather than spent time picking out the most nationalistic Christmas card he could find.

"Everybody knows that the SNP are only interested in independence – the First Minister doesn't need to stick it on his Christmas cards too."

But a spokesman for Mr Salmond accused his critics of suffering a touch of the bah humbugs themselves and of being party poopers who "should lighten up and get with the Christmas spirit".

He said the picture had been chosen by the artist himself and not the First Minister, with Mr Burns' niece, Hannah McQuillan, posing for the picture.

"They also seem to have entirely forgotten that Andrew was Jesus' first Apostle," he added. "Gerard Burns has produced a fantastic Christmas card for no charge in the best festive spirit – he should be congratulated instead of getting the 'bah humbug' treatment from opposition politicians who obviously lack seasonal cheer."

Mr Salmond is a fan of Mr Burns' paintings and another one of his pictures – The Rowan, also featuring a child carrying a Saltire – hangs in the First Minister's office in the Scottish Parliament.

Mr Burns said: "The Saltire has become synonymous with my paintings. The child walking with a flag, the wintry landscape and the idea of pilgrimage and journey are themes which resonate very heavily here and across many of my paintings."

And one of Mr Salmond's longstanding opponents, Labour MSP and former UK minister Lord George Foulkes, has praised the First Minister for not using the card to boost his own ego.

"His card isn't entirely to my taste, but I would like to congratulate him for resisting the urge to put himself on it," he said.

"He has shown commendable self-discipline."

Since becoming First Minister in 2007 Mr Salmond has commissioned different Scottish artists to paint pictures for his cards, so far raising 34,000 for charity in the process.

This year four charities will benefit: Clic Sargent, Glasgow the Caring City, J-A-C-K Foundation and Mary's Meals.

Scottish Labour leader Iain Gray has also unveiled his Christmas card.

The picture was designed by a P7 pupil from Longniddry Primary School, in Mr Gray's East Lothian constituency after a competition.

Mr Gray said: "I am delighted to have such a beautiful card designed by a pupil at one of my local primary schools."

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