Alex Salmond said the Scottish government's 670-page white paper would put beyond dispute Scotland's ability to be a successful, independent nation.

 

On 18 September, Scots voters will be asked the yes/no question: "Should Scotland be an independent country?"

 

Opposition² politicians said "time was running out" for the SNP to answer key questions about the challenges ahead.

 

The white paper, "Scotland's future: Your guide to an independent Scotland", is being launched by Mr Salmond and Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon during an event at Glasgow's Science Centre.

 

The Scottish government has described the white paper as a "landmark³ document", with the case for economic growth and fairness at its heart.

 

The SNP has argued Scotland's finances are healthier than those of the UK, providing a strong foundation to put the focus of the referendum campaign on Scotland's future.

 

Speaking ahead of the launch, Ms Sturgeon told BBC Scotland the white paper was "stuffed full with facts and figures and information", with a "heavy focus" on addressing questions that people wanted answered.

 

She said: "This is an exciting day in the referendum campaign.

 

"For everybody out there who has said, 'I'm not sure how to vote because I don't feel I've got all the information I need', this is the day when that information is put out there.

 

"Information that sets out the overwhelming case for independence, the benefits it will bring for individuals, families, communities, the country as a whole, the practicalities about how we make the journey to independence and answers to a whole range of questions people have been asking."

 

Ms Sturgeon added: "This is a big moment in the campaign and one which I think will decisively shift the dynamic of it."

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