THE artist, writer and supporter of Scottish independence, Alasdair Gray, has admitted that some of the promises of the No campaign have given him hope for the future of Scotland.

While still whole-heartedly backing a Yes vote for independence in the looming Referendum, the polymath author of Lanark said pledges of more powers for Scotland in the event of a No vote were "wonderful".

Speaking at the Edinburgh International Book Festival, he said: "One of the reasons I am feeling quite optimistic is that I have been reading the publicity of the No campaign.

"It was very interesting because they said there would be fuller employment, more investment in public business, several things that I thought 'surely this is not on the Conservative agenda?'

"But a good friend told me that the No campaign having been criticised for having no positive ideas, is actually promising a greater degree of independence to the Scottish Parliament if we vote No."

He added: "Wonderful. A small step forward, and I want a bigger step forward of course.

"This will be the third referendum, and at each of the past referendums, the vote for independence has increased.

"There is certainly going to be a bigger proportion for it [in September] and I hope its big enough to carry, but even if it doesn't, if the present Government [in Westminster] does carry through its promises it is still a step nearer to what I would finally like to see."

Gray said he did not know how the vote would go but "things were interesting."