Scotland's first minister is to set out the SNP's blueprint for independence, ahead of next September's referendum.
Alex Salmond said the Scottish government's 670-page white paper would put beyond dispute Scotland's ability to be a successful, independent nation.
On 18 September, Scots voters will be asked the yes/no question: "Should Scotland be an independent country?"
Opposition politicians said "time was running out" for the SNP to answer key questions about the challenges ahead.
'Stuffed full'The white paper, "Scotland's future: Your guide to an independent Scotland", is being launched by Mr Salmond and Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon during an event at Glasgow's Science Centre.
Continue reading the main storyThe Scottish government has described the white paper as a "landmark document", with the case for economic growth and fairness at its heart.
The SNP has argued Scotland's finances are healthier than those of the UK, providing a strong foundation to put the focus of the referendum campaign on Scotland's future.
Speaking ahead of the launch, Ms Sturgeon told BBC Scotland the white paper was "stuffed full with facts and figures and information", with a "heavy focus" on addressing questions that people wanted answered.
She said: "This is an exciting day in the referendum campaign.
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Independence vote explained in 60 seconds
"For everybody out there who has said, 'I'm not sure how to vote because I don't feel I've got all the information I need', this is the day when that information is put out there.
"Information that sets out the overwhelming case for independence, the benefits it will bring for individuals, families, communities, the country as a whole, the practicalities about how we make the journey to independence and answers to a whole range of questions people have been asking."
Ms Sturgeon added: "This is a big moment in the campaign and one which I think will decisively shift the dynamic of it."
The deputy first minister, who will make a statement to the Scottish Parliament on the white paper on Tuesday afternoon, said the pressure was now on the pro-Union side to set out their vision for Scotland's future.
The Scottish government's critics said the white paper would be judged on whether it tackled concerns over issues like financial challenges.
For the UK government, Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael said there were huge question marks over some of the policies already revealed by the SNP.
Who? What? When?
- Voters in Scotland - including for the first time 16 and 17-year-olds - will have their say in a referendum on Scottish independence.
- They will be asked the "yes/no" question: "Should Scotland be an independent country?"
- The referendum takes place on Thursday 18 September, 2014.
He said it was "highly unlikely" the Scottish government's plan to keep the pound and retain the services of the Bank of England as part of a "currency union" with the rest of the UK would work, and said the SNP must set out a "Plan B".
The Scottish government's critics have also questioned its plan to get rid of Trident nuclear weapons - currently based on the Clyde - while being a member of Nato.
And they have said other SNP promises, on issues like pensions and welfare, are uncosted.
Mr Carmichael said: "Scotland does very well out of the United Kingdom.
"There are enormous questions that many people in all different parts of Scotland still want to see answered - time is running out for the Nationalists to answer these questions."
"Start Quote
End QuoteThe White Paper runs to 670 pages and will be published as a book. Will it be bedside reading? Will we see it peeping from travellers' rucksacks? Will it be devoured, poolside, on electronic reading devices? Hope so"
The Scottish government said its white paper had been written for the public to compare the SNP's case with the alternatives, before making their minds up on which way to vote.
An initial print run of 20,000 copies of the white paper has been produced, but it will be made available to everyone who requests a copy.
At the weekend, the Scottish government said that, if there was a "Yes" vote, its proposed "independence day" would fall on Thursday 24 March, 2016.
That date is also the anniversary of the Union of the Crowns in 1603.
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