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First Minister Alex Salmond was marking the anniversary of the 1997 devolution referendum
Scotland is on the "cusp of making history" by voting for independence, the country's first minister has predicted.
Alex Salmond described the independence referendum as a "process of national empowerment" and said the country was "rediscovering self confidence" and "finding our voice".
He was speaking at a press conference for the international media.
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.
In other referendum news....- The Electoral Commission has confirmed that 4,285,323 people have registered to vote in next week's Scottish independence referendum.
- RBS has confirmed it will relocate its registered headquarters to London if Scotland votes for independence next week, but said the move would not impact on jobs or operations.
- The Edinburgh-based Scotsman newspaper says it is backing a "No" vote. In a leader piece, the publication said it was concerned about issues such as currency, EU membership and defence.
- Scotland's largest fund manager's boss said an independent Scotland would be a huge success. Martin Gilbert, chief executive of Aberdeen Asset Management said: "I think an independent Scotland would be a big success, but it is a secret ballot and I will abide by that."
- Prices in Scottish branches of John Lewis and Waitrose may be more expensive than the rest of the UK if the country votes "Yes". The chairman of the John Lewis Partnership told the BBC that it was "most probable" that prices will rise, as the costs are passed on to customers.
On 11 September 1997 Scotland voted overwhelmingly for 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".
He said: "Scotland is on the cusp of making history. The eyes of the world are upon Scotland. And what the world is seeing is an articulate, peaceful, energised debate.
"Scotland will vote 'Yes' next Thursday and they will vote 'Yes' because last-minute, cobbled up promises from the 'No' campaign which unravel at the slightest scrutiny will not fool anyone in this country and neither will the blatant bullying and intimidation of the Westminster government.
"The 'No' campaign is in terminal decline. In contrast a 'Yes' vote is the opportunity of a lifetime. An opportunity to build a fairer more prosperous country."
Mr Salmond argued: "No-one is better placed to govern Scotland than the people of Scotland. No-one understands the aspirations of the people more."
And the first minister predicted voters would endorse a "Yes" vote because they know they can govern better than Westminster.
- The social media debate over Scotland's future has been particularly passionate at times. A week before voters in Scotland head to the polls BBC Scotland's Andrew Kerr answered your questions on the BBC News Facebook page about the campaign, the referendum and what's at stake for Scotland.
- Keep following the debate on social media by using #indyref #ScotlandDecides
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."
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."
The 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 action spearheaded 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.
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 reactionMeanwhile, a new Survation poll for the Daily Record suggested 47.6% of voters surveyed would back "No" and 42.4% would vote "Yes", with 10% undecided.
The survey of 1,000 voters conducted between 5 and 9 September, 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.
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"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 poll showed 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".
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