The people of Scotland will decide whether or not they want to break away from the United Kingdom this Thursday, and the coming vote for independence has both sides debating furiously.

Noted film stars and artists are publicly voicing their opinions, including Scottish "James Bond" actor Sean Connery, and English soccer player David Beckham. "Harry Potter" author J. K. Rowling donated £1 million pounds to the campaign against Scottish independence.

So far, about 4.2 million people or 97 percent of Scotland's adult population has registered for the vote, with polls indicating that about half of the nation's voters support independence. If Scotland separates from the United Kingdom, it could give the state full control over offshore oil reserves, which are estimated to hold 61 percent of the European Union's oil.

Advocates for independence also assert a Scottish cultural identity separate from that of the United Kingdom. Those who are against independence, on the other hand, argue that Scotland is economically and politically stronger as part of the United Kingdom. 

James McAvoy is an actor from Port Glasgow, Scotland who has starred in titles such as "The Last King of Scotland" and as the title character of "Macbeth." He gives his perspective on the question of Scottish independence and what it means for the future of his homeland.