Sturgeon: Ties across British Isles will remain

On Monday, the Prime Minister made an impassioned plea in Aberdeen for Scots not to "break this family apart".

His comments were echoed by a number of celebrities, including Bob Geldof, at a rally in Trafalgar Square in London.

Thousands have signed a ­petition urging voters "Let's Stay Together".

Ms Sturgeon attacked Mr Cameron's claims that independence would "rip" Scotland from the rest of the UK.

"Those ties are not about ­politics, those ties are about people," she said, adding that her own family was the perfect example.

"I'm the granddaughter of an Englishwoman, I have family in England. We're going to continue to be part of the family of nations that make up the British Isles," she said.

"We will work closely and co-operatively with our friends across these islands - but we'll do so on the basis of equality, we'll do so knowing that we're responsible for the decisions that shape our future, that we're responsible for our own money as a country and we can decide the priorities for spending that money.

"That to me is the best of both worlds, being responsible and accountable and working with our neighbours where our mutual interests make that worth doing."

She added that she was ­"enormously optimistic" about the outcome of the vote.

"People who have never voted before in their lives are eager to vote on Thursday. People who wouldn't usually give politicians the time of day queue up in the streets for selfies.

"It's incredible and what's ­driving all that, I think, is an ­enormous sense of optimism," she said.

Ms Sturgeon said independence for her was above all about creating the "best opportunities" for the next generation.

She added: "If we've got our hands on the levers of economic decision-making, we're going to be better able to encourage companies to locate here, to expand here, grow here, create jobs here."

The Deputy First Minister was met by a crowd of Yes supporters, alongside a silent group of No protesters carrying posters with the words "SNP NHS Lies", at Renfrew Town Hall.

Ms Sturgeon tucked into a "Yes" cupcake as she met members of pro-independence group Carers for Yes, as well as some carers who were still undecided about how they would vote.

She said: "It's often said that the true test of any society is how we treat the most vulnerable and right now, if that's the test, the UK Government is failing that test."

She called on carers to "strike a blow for a better country" and back a Yes vote to "ensure carers get the support they need".

Lynn Williams, organiser of Carers for Yes, said: "With a Yes vote, future Scottish governments will be able to ensure carers are no longer seen as second-class by a Westminster welfare system that doesn't recognise their hard work."

Earlier, at a visit to Steel ­Engineering in Renfrew, Ms Sturgeon said that independence offered the opportunity to build the economy.

"A Yes vote is a chance to elect a government that will be focussed on a job-creation policy solely for Scotland and a government that will use the wealth of our economy to support public services like the NHS and to invest in our future," she said.

In an emotional plea to voters on Monday, Mr Cameron appeared to have a tear in his eye as he said: "Please don't break this family apart."

He added: "This is our message to the people of Scotland...We want you to stay. Head and heart and soul, we want you to stay."

And he warned that if the Scotland was to leave the UK it would be a difficult process.

"Independence would not be a trial separation," he warned, " it would be a painful divorce."

In a deliberate appeal to undecided voters who do not like his government, he added: "Don't think: I'm frustrated with politics right now, so I'll walk out the door and never come back. If you don't like me, I won't be here forever. If you don't like this Government, it won't last forever. But if you leave the UK - that will be forever."