Mohamed Al Fayed said he admires SNP leader Alex Salmond

The Harrods boss, who owns a 60,000-acre estate in Easter Ross, said the SNP's leader Alex Salmond has "courage" and "commitment".

Speaking during a visit to the Highlands, Mr Al Fayed said: "If they approach me I am ready to help. Definitely."

The SNP told BBC Scotland it would not be accepting his offer.

The businessman owns Balnagown Estates and the Falls of Shin visitor centre in Sutherland.

There has been no approach in either direction and I am sure it's the way it will stay Nicola Sturgeon, SNP parliamentary leader in Scotland

Mr Al Fayed made his offer during a visit to Falls of Shin and criticised Scottish MPs in Westminster.

He said: "A lot of Scots are just happy to enjoy the pleasures and they forget really where they come from.

"Without the Scottish oil they cannot run the south and they don't appreciate that."

Mr Al Fayed added: "Alex Salmond, he has a lot of personality, a lot of courage, a lot of commitment and patriotism which I admire."

'No approach'

Asked if he would support the SNP, he said: "Of course. If they approach me I am ready to help. Definitely.

"Because this is what I believe - you have to have your freedom. You have to have your independence."

Nicola Sturgeon, the SNP's Holyrood parliamentary leader, said she did not expect Mr Al Fayed to contact the party.

She said: "It is all very hypothetical. There has been no approach in either direction and I am sure it's the way it will stay.