The Yes campaign has failed to make the case for independence, a think-tank has claimed.
The Scotland Institute said confusion surrounded many of the promises made for an independence.
It said the Yes campaign relied “heavily” on promising changes that could be made anyway, and continuing to share so much with the rest of the UK as to undermine the idea of independence.
The think-tank said it came to its conclusion having set up a dedicated unit of experts to examine the ramifications of independence, “setting aside political rhetoric and focusing solely on the facts” on key policy areas of defence, debt levels, energy and immigration.
Dozens of experts were consulted for each area, including former secretaries of state, high-ranking military personnel, and leading academics and economists.
The Scotland Institute said all reports were peer reviewed by independent experts to “ensure impartiality and academic rigour”.
Executive chairman Dr Azeem Ibrahim, said: “Independence raises more challenges than it solves. There might be good answers to all the questions raised above, but that case has not been the one the yes campaign has made.
“Instead they have presented a much less sophisticated and developed case which rests heavily on promising changes which they are already entitled to make, and continuing to share so much with the rest of the UK that their claims of independence are undermined.
“The truth is that Scotland is a prosperous, outward looking, successful trading nation, and we will remain so whatever the result.”
Last week the think-tank warned that an independent Scotland would need an extra 20,000 more immigrants a year than previously stated to pay for pensions without raising taxes.
Previous reports have said a independent Scottish defence force would be less comprehensive and effective than if it the country remained in the UK, and warned of the prospect of “border guards along Hadrian’s Wall”.