Nicola Sturgeon has made an emotional appeal for people to vote Yes and drag the campaign over the “last mile of our journey”.
The Deputy First Minister used her keynote speech on the opening day of the SNP spring conference in Aberdeen to claim Scotland is on the “threshold” of becoming independent.
She said that, 80 years on from the founding of the party, there is “much work still to do” to achieve its ultimate aim, but insisted the momentum behind the Yes campaign is “simply unstoppable”.
Ms Sturgeon said: “Well, my fellow nationalists, after 80 years of campaigning, the last mile of our journey to independence is upon us.
“It may well be the hardest mile of all. So we will encourage each other, cheer each other and, yes, if needs be, we will carry each other over the finishing line.
“But, friends, we will not fall. I want you to hear this and believe it in your heart.
“As a tribute to those no longer with us, for everyone lucky enough to be alive at this moment in history and, above all else, for the sake of generations to come, we are going to win.
“Scotland is going to be independent.”
As expected, Ms Sturgeon also used her speech to make a direct appeal to Labour voters to vote for independence.
She pointed to former Labour MP Dennis Canavan, who is now the chairman of Yes Scotland, and said Ian Newton, who served as election agent to Better Together leader Alistair Darling, will also be voting with her come September.
Ms Sturgeon also unveiled a new Scottish Independent Living Fund to support thousands of disabled people in Scotland.
It will provide support to more than 3,000 people and build on existing care through a £5.5 million investment which will re-open it to new users, ensuring its long-term future.
The UK Government’s support scheme is due to close in June next year and has been closed to new users since 2010.
Ms Sturgeon said: “I can announce today that the Scottish Government will establish a Scottish Independent Living Fund.
“It will support the more than 3,000 people in Scotland who depend on the existing fund.
“And we will invest an extra £5 million a year to open up the fund to new applicants, so that people with disabilities can live full, active and independent lives.”
Speaking on behalf of Better Together, West Dunbartonshire Labour MP Gemma Doyle slammed Ms Sturgeon’s speech.
She said: “What we heard from Nicola Sturgeon today was more of the same tired old tunes the nationalists have been signing for 80 years.”