Hollywood film star Sean Connery abandoned his tax shelter this week to try to drum up interest in elections which a week today will see the people of Scotland - and Wales - vote into power their first separate parliaments in hundreds of years.
The actor, long a believer in Scottish independence, spoke at an Edinburgh rally intended to boost support for the Scottish Nationalist Party's (SNP) independence stance, which has been in decline as the poll draws closer.
'My position on Scotland has never changed in 30-odd years. Scotland should be nothing less than an equal of other nations of the world,' the actor told a select group of party faithful.
Scotland was about to have its own parliament and it was important voters of all parties should use the ballot box to register their opinions, Connery, 68, said.
'We have waited nearly 300 years. My hope is that [the parliament] will evolve with dignity and integrity and that it will truly reflect the new voice of Scotland.' Connery's efforts seem unlikely to raise the flagging popularity of the nationalist party, which plans to impose additional taxes on the people of Scotland if it gains control of the new legislature.
SNP leader Alex Salmond intends to levy tax one penny above the rate elsewhere in Britain to fund extra spending on education and health.