Indyref campaign: it's Team Scotland v Team Westminster, says Salmond

Mr Salmond was speaking from the campaign trail in Edinburgh as Mr Cameron, Mr Miliband and Nick Clegg made a last-minute trip to Scotland ahead of next week's referendum.

"The breadth and reach of the Yes campaign is there for all to see, it's not about the Scottish National Party, the Green Party, it goes right through every sector of Scottish society," Mr Salmond said.

"What we're seeing today on the other side is Team Westminster jetting up to Scotland for the day because they are panicking in the campaign.

"We don't make any assumptions about the poll next week but nonetheless the evidence would indicate that more and more of our fellow citizens are becoming convinced by the arguments being put forward by their fellow citizens in the Yes campaign.

"The movement in Scotland is decisively towards Yes."

He added: "What is interesting today is that at this juncture of the campaign Team Westminster - David Cameron, Ed Miliband - have jetted up to Scotland. Not part of their plans perhaps, but nonetheless they are here.

"What we are arguing is that we've got a key test about jobs in Scotland, about protecting our National Health Service. Their concern with this last-gasp effort seems to be with their own jobs.

"That's the contrast between the breadth and reach of Team Scotland and the narrow focus of Team Westminster, and that's why we're decisively winning the campaign on the ground in Scotland."

The three Westminster leaders hit the campaign trail after offering a fast-tracked timetable for further devolution.

With momentum apparently gathering behind the pro-independence campaign, the unionist parties have been revising their plans for more powers to be handed to Holyrood in the event of a No vote.

In a dramatic move yesterday, Mr Cameron and Mr Miliband announced they would not be taking part in their weekly exchanges at Prime Minister's Questions, saying instead they would be heading to Scotland where they will be "listening and talking to voters'' about the choice they face next week.

The Deputy Prime Minister will also be on the campaign trail in Scotland, as polls increasingly suggest the contest is too close to call.

Mr Cameron has already given his backing to a timetable for transferring more powers that was outlined by his predecessor in Number 10, Labour's Gordon Brown.

Work towards this could begin next Friday, the day after the referendum, if there is a No vote, while draft legislation could be drawn up by January.

In an article for the Daily Mail, the Prime Minister argued a "brighter future for Scotland rests not only on staying in the UK, but also on having significant new powers", adding that the new timetable would give Scots the "clarity" they need when considering which way to vote.

Mr Cameron said: "With this timetable, we are giving people that clarity, showing that by voting No, Scotland gets the best of both worlds: power over the policies that matter, and the stability of the United Kingdom; the freedom to chart its own destiny, and the support of three other nations; the reputation in the world as a successful nation, and the clout of a world-renowned union.

"But where we offer clarity, those who support separation offer only question marks. Just eight days away from the referendum, they are still unclear on what money Scotland could use without the pound sterling. The plan for Scotland to enter the EU is a blank page. The formula for filling the public services funding deficit is a blank space.

"While a Yes vote may be a lucky dip, a No vote is a guaranteed win for anyone who wants a stronger, more autonomous Scotland."

The Prime Minister added: "The United Kingdom is a precious and special country. That is what is at stake. So let no-one in Scotland be in any doubt: we desperately want you to stay; we do not want this family of nations to be ripped apart."