The work of the Scottish parliament is helping to bring the nations of Britain closer together, the Queen has told MSPs.

The Queen said that people should not rush to judgement but respect the hard work of the parliament.

She praised MSPs for their adherence to the principles of accessibility, accountability and equality of opportunity.

The Queen was addressing the parliament during a special plenary sitting at Kings College in Aberdeen.

Arriving in Aberdeen, she was met by 40 schoolchildren - including three who were present when she opened the parliament in 1999.

"In this age of new constitutional relationships - of unity based on diversity - I value the distinctive contribution that Scotland is making to strengthen the bonds that link the nations and regions of the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth and Europe," the Queen told MSPs.

She acknowledged that there was "much concern these days about public disengagement from the political process", but said the work of the parliament was helping to tackle the problems.

"As this legislature refines - carefully and over time - its new forms of governance and its devolved responsibilities within the United Kingdom, the way you share power, will be the key to connecting the people with their parliament."

The Queen also said that the late first minister Donald Dewar had recognised that a new political culture could not be established overnight following the "parliamentary adjournment of almost 300 years".

"In an age which often demands instant judgements, this is something we would all do well to remember. As a people, Scots like to argue principle. Quite properly, there has been some strong debate within this parliament and close scrutiny of its contribution from without.

"But what cannot be denied is the volume of work which has been completed in the past three years and the spirit of participation which has been encouraged along the way."

Title dispute

Her comments came amid calls for her title to be changed to "Elizabeth I Queen of Scots" North of the border. The previous Elizabeth was Queen of England only, critics point out.

A Teletext survey revealed that the move would have the backing of around three quarters of Scots.

Responding to the poll, the Scottish National Party said it was time for Scotland's distinctiveness to be recognised.

"Elizabeth II is the Queen's English title, and its use throughout the UK implies that Scotland became part of England under the Union, rather than remaining a distinct nation," said SNP president Dr Winnie Ewing.

"There was a huge fuss in 1952 about the Queen's title North of the Border, and now that we have a parliament once again, Scots want the distinctiveness of Scotland to be properly recognised.

"That is why the Golden Jubilee is an appropriate opportunity for the wrong to be righted, and this survey shows that this is what the people of Scotland want."

Election row

The Queen's visit came amid a row over the next elections to the parliament, which will coincide with the 400th anniversary of the Union of the Crowns, when the English and Scots monarchies combined.

Scottish nationalists in the European parliament have warned of potential controversy.

"By all means celebrate in the summertime when politics are out of the way for a while, but electoral politics and the issue of head of state, as far as possible, should be kept well apart," said the nationalist MEP Sir Neil MacCormick.

His comments were echoed by the party's shadow parliament minister Fiona Hyslop.

"The elections next year will be about the relationship between Scotland and England and about the powers of the Westminster government and Scotland," she said.

"We want independence, but I don't think the Queen coming and having a week-long celebration will be helpful."

However, a spokesman for the Palace denied that any plans for the anniversary have been made.

"Next year's programme has not yet even been considered but there is no way, whatever the celebrations are going to be, that they would coincide with the run-up to the Holyrood election," the source said.

"The Palace generally are very conscious, in the run-up to all elections, of the need to ensure there are no high profile public engagements at such periods."

David McLetchie, the leader of the Scottish Conservatives, described the suggestion made by MacCormick as the "earliest excuse we've ever had for losing an election".

Labour MP for Edinburgh North and Leith, Mark Lazarowicz, also dismissed the claims. "I can't believe that such a celebration would have any effect whatsoever on the elections in Scotland," he said.

"I think the SNP quite frankly are underestimating the intelligence of the Scottish voter by suggesting that it would do so."