The ruling Scottish National Party (SNP) on Thursday promoted Yes vote for next year's independence referendum at its annual Conference in Perth in central Scotland.

Opening the four-day conference, Scottish First Minister and SNP leader Alex Salmond said Sept. 18, 2014 is Scotland's date with destiny, the biggest opportunity the people in Scotland have ever had -- the opportunity to choose independence and a better future for Scotland when the referendum is to be held.

"I believe that people will choose the hope of a Yes vote, rather than the fear offered by No," Salmond said, expressing confidence in the economic viability and potential of people-talented and resource-rich Scotland.

People in Scotland believe that Scotland's parliament should make the decisions on tax, welfare and pensions, he noted, stressing that the case for Yes would be won on the basis that more people trust the Scottish parliament to make the best decisions for Scotland.

For her part, Scottish Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said that the SNP faces a challenge to persuade voters to back independence over the next year, reiterating decisions should be taken in Scotland to get the best for Scotland.

Earlier this month, London-based market research and market information group Taylor Nelson Sofres published a poll result which put support for independence at 25 percent, with 44 percent in the No camp and 31 percent saying they do not know how they will vote.

However, Sturgeon believed that the polls can be turned around, which is the SNP's challenge over the next year.

The Scottish government is expected to publish the independence white paper in November to explain what an independent Scotland should be like.

British Prime Minister David Cameron and Salmond signed the Edinburgh Agreement in October 2012, allowing Scotland to hold an independence referendum in autumn 2014. Endi