Rupert Murdoch gives few hints over Scottish Sun's independence stance

Media tycoon Rupert Murdoch has visited Scotland - praising the country of five million people for being alive with debate before the independence vote that could break apart the United Kingdom.

Murdoch, whose global media interests include newspapers that claim to turn elections, gave no hint of whether his Scottish Sun newspaper, the country's most popular newspaper, would openly back unionists or secessionists before Thursday's vote.

"No politicians, just street and pub talks," Murdoch, 83, said on his Twitter feed on Saturday. "Everywhere alive with debate. Democracy truly at work. Both sides predicting victory."

Murdoch's paternal grandparents were Scots, who emigrated from Aberdeenshire in northeast Scotland to Australia in the 19th century. He said promises of more devolution, made by Prime Minister David Cameron and former prime minister Gordon Brown, meant that Britain would look like a federation after the vote should the unionists win.

"Cameron and Brown have promised so much more devolution if 'No' wins, Britain will look like a federation. Bet many Tories outraged," he said.

In a post last week, Murdoch heaped praise, laced with hints of frustration, on nationalist leader Alex Salmond. "Salmond a friend, great politician, man of the people, etc, but I would be much happier with another great Scottish AS - Adam Smith!," he said, referring to the 18th century philosopher regarded as the father of modern economics.

"Okay, how would Salmond govern? Socialist paradise no. People need jobs, decent pay, streamline bureaucracy, new investment. No EU."

Salmond has called Murdoch a "remarkable man".

The daily Sun tabloid, while losing readers in line with all British newspapers, remains Britain's biggest selling title. Its Scottish edition, the Scottish Sun, had a daily circulation of 248,000 in February, the Audit Bureau of Circulation reported.