Scottish independence: Alex Salmond addresses world media
Scotland's first minister has described the country's independence referendum as a "process of national empowerment".
Alex Salmond also said the people of Scotland were "rediscovering self confidence" and "finding our voice".
He was speaking at a press conference for the international media with just a week to go until the independence referendum.
On Wednesday, the main UK party leaders called on Scots to reject independence.
Mr Salmond's event is taking place on the anniversary of the 1997 devolution referendum.
A new poll has suggested the "No" campaign holds a narrow lead ahead of next Thursday's independence referendum. Two previous polls suggested the race was neck and neck.
On 11 September 1997 Scotland voted overwhelminglyfor devolution, leading to the re-establishment of the Scottish Parliament after nearly 300 years.
SNP leader Mr Salmond used the anniversary to argue that a "Yes" vote for independence in the referendum next week would be a continuation of "Scotland's constitutional journey to date" and would mark "the opportunity of a lifetime".
"No-one is better placed to govern Scotland than the people of Scotland. No-one understands the aspirations of the people more," he added.
The first minister predicted voters would endorse a "Yes" vote because they know they can govern better than Westminster.
And he said that, following the referendum, "we're going to wake up to a lifetime of feeling confident in ourselves and our country".
He added: "The sense of purpose coursing through Scottish life is unmistakable. For the first time ever, Scots believe we can do this and we will do this."
'Constant interference'
Appearing alongside Mr Salmond was Canon Kenyon Wright, who chaired the Scottish Constitutional Convention that paved the way for the creation of the devolved parliament, and who now backs independence.
Canon Wright said: "Again and again a Westminster government we did not elect claimed the right to impose policies we rejected and an ideology we do not accept. Devolution has no answer for that.
"The tactics used by 'No' simply prove that they fail to understand how deeply that principle of Scotland's right is rooted in our history.
"First there was the stick to threaten us. Now the carrot to tempt us.
"First the blackmail - be naughty and vote 'Yes' and we'll punish you. Now the bribe - be good, vote 'No' and we'll reward you."
He added: "Scotland needs something devolution can never give - the secure power to make her own decisions; to follow her own vision of a just fair society; to take her positive place among the nations of Europe and the world; to be free from the constant interference from Westminster."
'Stronger together'
Canon Wright's comments came after David Cameron, Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg made separate calls for Scots to vote "No" in the 18 September referendum.
The three leaders have backed a plan of actionspearheaded by former Prime Minister Gordon Brown, which they have said would see work begin on the handover of new powers on 19 September, the day after the referendum.
David Cameron, Nick Clegg and Ed Miliband came to Scotland to argue that the UK was "better together"
Mr Miliband, who will be campaigning in Scotland alongside Mr Brown on Thursday, said: "I want to make the case to you from the head, which is that we are stronger staying together because we can better create a more equal, a more just, society.
"I want to make the case to you from the heart, because of the ties that bind us together and which would be broken apart by separatism.
"And I want to make the case to you from the soul, because it was in halls like this that our movement was formed on the basis of solidarity - solidarity that has built, not just our movement's greatest moments, but our country's greatest institutions, like our national health service."
Poll reaction
Meanwhile, a new Survation poll for the Daily Recordsuggested 47.6% of voters surveyed would back "No" and 42.4% would vote "Yes", with 10% undecided.
The figures suggested a referendum result of 53% "No" to 47% "Yes", if undecided voters were removed.
Scottish MP and Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Danny Alexander, said it was no surprise the race was so close.
"We always expected that the referendum would get tighter as we got closer to the day," he told BBC Two's Newsnight.
"But what we've seen over the last few days is a real crystallisation of the choice for people, where you have on the one hand an economically risky, dangerous idea of independence, which of course represents change, but I think change for the worse.
"And the change that you get voting 'No' - a stronger parliament within the UK, a stronger economy within the UK, a safer, faster form of change for Scotland."
It follows other recent polls suggesting the referendum vote was too close to call, including a You-Gov poll on 5 September that put the "Yes" campaign narrowly ahead.
Both the pro-independence Yes Scotland campaign and the pro-Union Better Together campaign claimed the pollshowed victory was within reach for them.
Better Together campaign director Blair McDougall said: "This fight for Scotland's future will go right down to the wire, but it's one we will win."
Yes Scotland chief executive Blair Jenkins said the poll "confirms we are in touching distance of success next Thursday, and will galvanise all those who are wanting and working for a 'Yes' to redouble their efforts".bbc
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