THIS is it.

In eight days' time we decide Scotland's future. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and there's no turning back. The stakes couldn't be higher and now, folks, it's down to us.

My vision is clear: a stronger Scottish Parliament, with more powers guaranteed, backed up by the strength, security and stability of the United Kingdom.

Much of this case relies on economic and political arguments: the uncertainty over currency; the £6 billion black hole in the public finances of a separate Scotland; the terms and conditions of future EU membership.

Then there are the UK's strengths; a large economy, a country that sits at the top table of the world's decision-making bodies, a trading powerhouse and all the rest of it.

These, if you like, are the arguments of the head, and they are vitally important.

But we must speak to the heart as well.

And for me the case is very simple.

Quite simply, the UK - Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland - is one of the great nations of this earth. One of the good guys.

We are a country that's willing to shoulder a burden. One that offers a platform of opportunity. And it makes me proud.

Britain isn't broken, far from it. We are a force for good in the world and should recognise our achievements.

From our international aid budget - the second largest in the world - to our Armed Forces, British manpower and British resources save lives, protect children and rebuild communities the world over.

We do this, because as a nation we believe in a set of values that go beyond our borders and do not stop at our shores.

From our culture to our freedom, our humour and our decency we make a huge contribution to this planet and we shouldn't be shy about recognising it.

The fact is that every success the UK has in the world is Scotland's success too. Because we built the UK. We've driven it.

So those of us who believe in Britain do not want something less than the Nationalists.

We want to be part of something bigger, to put all the strength and resource, imagination and infinite talent that we have in Scotland towards a common endeavour with our friends, neighbours, allies and countrymen in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

And leaving that common endeavour behind would be to lose something and to see what's left behind diminished too.

So next week I, and millions of others, won't just be saying No Thanks to that vision, we will be casting a positive vote in favour of the United Kingdom.

Every vote will count and anyone's vote could make the difference between the UK staying together or breaking apart.

My vote will be cast to get the best of both worlds - with a clear plan to deliver more decision making to Scotland, while keeping our UK ties.

That's a country which belongs to us, that we helped to build, and that we are proud to call our own.