Alex Salmond has said the Scottish Parliament is now the dominant political force in Scotland - but he has yet to reveal whether he will return after the next election.
The outgoing First Minister said he has yet to make his mind up whether he will stand in the 2015 Westminster election or the 2016 Holyrood election, saying only that he will continue to serve north-east Scotland for as long as people wish to elect him.
He also reaffirmed his belief that Scotland will be independent within his lifetime, insisting today's strong labour market statistics and growing economic activity will boost the apparently growing appetite for another referendum.
He said his prediction that an independence referendum is a once-in-a-generation event could be overruled by the Scottish people if they vote for a political party which pledges to hold one in its manifesto.
However, he said the decision on whether the SNP will propose another referendum in its next manifesto is a matter for his successor Nicola Sturgeon, who will be confirmed as SNP leader at the party conference this weekend.
Mr Salmond will hold his final First Minister's Questions at Holyrood tomorrow.
Speaking at a press conference in Bute House in Edinburgh, he said: "I do believe Scotland will become an independent country and I think we are on a pathway that has been reinforced by the political events of the last year.
"I love First Minister's Questions, I love the Scottish Parliament.
"I think the Scottish Parliament has emerged as the dominant political forum in Scotland, not just in the last seven years but over the period since 1999."
When asked if he would return to Holyrood in 2016, he said: "I'm going to make an announcement in due course when I make up my mind, but what I can say is that I will continue to serve the people of the north east of Scotland as long as they wish to elect me."
He hailed the growth in employment, decline in unemployment and growing economic activity seen in today's labour market statistics, as well as welcoming an announcement by airline Flybe that it is to return to its former base in Aberdeen.
"The interesting thing is growth in support for constitutional change in Scotland has grown with the improving economy," he said.
"I've always believed that people's appetite for moving forward happens when things are improving, when people look to how things will be better."
He added: "My observation was that I believe a constitutional referendum will come along once in a generation.
"But, of course, it's perfectly correct that the people who decide if and when you have a constitutional referendum are the people of Scotland.
"You can only have a constitutional referendum if the people vote for it - if the people vote for a party that has such a proposal in its manifesto at a Scottish election.
"So, it's the people who decide whether a constitutional referendum should be held.
"I did see a number of indications in two polls last week that at least there is strong support among the people of Scotland for a constitutional referendum rather sooner."
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