In his video message Mr Salmond said :

"This is Kinnaird Head in Fraserburgh, just about the most easterly point in Scotland and over there - well that’s Norway.

"This was the first purpose built lighthouse in the country and the light from this headland shone a full 28 miles out into the North Sea. When a fishing boat is steaming back in rough waters, they catch sight of the Kinnaird light and then they know that they are almost home.

"Scotland as a country has been through some rough waters in recent years’s but 2007 will be the year when we make our turn for home.

"The SNP is working for peace, prosperity and justice for our country. Peace, because we have been dragged into enough foolish, costly and illegal wars, nor do we want our beautiful country to continue as the dumping ground for the largest concentration of weapons of mass destruction in Western Europe. We can resolve to move forward towards peace in 2007.

"Prosperity, because there is no reason on earth that we can’t make our country of Scotland just as successful as the independent nation across the water. Norway is now the second most wealthy country on the face of the planet. We can make progress towards that goal of prosperity in 2007.

"Justice, because Scotland would not be Scotland unless we wanted a country which was successful but also socially just. Just to all communities across the country and just in particular towards hard

working families who struggle to make ends meet.

"Every New Year is a time for resolution. However, this coming year of 2007 is special - special because we have the democratic opportunity to make progress towards these great objectives of peace, prosperity and justice and the independence which will make them happen.

"Let us resolve this year to steer our country out of rough waters and, just like the fishing boats, bring her under the safety of the independence light.

"A Guid New Year to ane an’ a’.".