Imprisoned pirate hunter Billy Irving could be released from his Indian jail cell and home in time for Christmas following his final appeal hearing, due to conclude today.
His family now face a tense wait to be given a date for the verdict on the appeal against his conviction.
Arguments began yesterday and are due to conclude this morning.
Ex soldier Mr Irving, of Connel, near Oban, was sentenced to five years alongside five colleagues in January.
The men were detained on board an anti-piracy ship in 2013. They were working as security guards on a US-owned ship, when they were arrested on illegal weapons charges.
They have been suffering “horrific” conditions in jail.
Yvonne MacHugh, financee of Mr Irving, said: “This is our last chance. We don’t get any more appeals. We should get a verdict in the next couple of weeks.
“We will hear soon what date it is for the verdict.
“Hopefully we will know before Christmas. But it has got to the point I don’t care if he is home for Christmas, I just want him home any day.
“I feel surprisingly good about it. I just feel like the lawyers have done everything they could possibly do.
“Everything is there proving their innocence. I know that happened during the trial as well but I think possibly the Indian authorities have had time to look over it better this time round and know they are innocent.
“I think it is because Billy is so positive. For the last year I have been feeling there is no hope, but today I just feel positive about it all.”
Mr Irving’s father Jim and brother Jamie have just returned from a visit to India to see him in prison.
Miss MacHugh said: “They had a brilliant time and said Billy was incredible. Jamie hasn’t seen his brother since he left, more than three years ago.
“Billy is doing really well. He has got long hair and a big long beard. He is a bit skinny but apart from that still doing well.
“He is the most positive about the whole thing, I don’t know how he does it.”