Scottish independence is "only a matter of time", Sir Sean Connery has said.

The James Bond actor, who is one of the most famous supporters of independence, issued a rallying call to campaigners from his Bahamas home.

He said they would not be prevented from "speaking again" in a second vote on the country's constitutional future.

"It's only a matter of time," he said.

"The people of Scotland - the real guardians of Scotland - spoke in the referendum.

"They spoke again by majority in the election.

"They will not be prevented from speaking again. Scotland's future is in Scotland's hands."

Sir Sean, 85, who has supported an independent Scotland all of his adult life, made the comments as the anniversary of the September 2014 poll approaches.

He has narrated an audiobook of former first minister Alex Salmond's book, The Dream Shall Never Die.

The actor's comments come as First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirmed she will set out the timescale for a possible second referendum on independence in the SNP manifesto for next year's Holyrood election.

Ms Sturgeon also confirmed the party's manifesto will include more details on the circumstances under which another vote might be ''appropriate''.