Alex Salmond has said devolution had been good for Scotland but it was now time to take the next step in the Home Rule journey.
The first minister said he was “convinced” a majority of people would vote for independence on Thursday because they realised it was an opportunity to make the country more prosperous and fairer.
Mr Salmond, addressing a international press conference in Edinburgh, said 142 countries had secured independence since 1945 and not one had “ever asked to give it up”.
He told about 100 media representatives from places like Australia, Canada, Spain and India that Scotland was on the cusp of making history and will vote “yes”.
Mr Salmond confidence comes against a backdrop of a Survation opinion poll which showed 53% of 1,000 Scots said they planned to vote No with 47% saying Yes, once undecided voters were factored out.
The SNP leader claimed voters would not be fooled or conned by “blatant bullying and intimidation” from Westminster parties making last minute promises of more power in exchange for a “no” vote.
“In contrast, a Yes vote is the opportunity of a lifetime, an opportunity to build a fairer and more prosperous country,” said the MSP for Aberdeenshire East.
“Today marks a moment in Scotland’s Home Rule journey – it is exactly the 17th anniversary of Scotland voting Yes to restoring a Scottish Parliament in 1997.
“In the last 17 years, Scotland has become a better country – removing tuition fees, abolishing care costs for the elderly, making prescriptions free, creating jobs and opportunities and defending the NHS.
“Our message to the people of Scotland is this – for the first time in Scottish history – we, the people, hold our destiny in our own hands.”
Mr Salmond added: “A Yes vote next Thursday is not the end of something – it is the beginning of something special.”
He acknowledged that Scotland would not inherit “a land of milk and honey” following a Yes vote but he claimed it provided the opportunity to “take control, make our own mistakes and mould our own successes”.