August 26, 2008	Tuesday	Sha’aban 23, 1429

EDINBURGH: Former James Bond star Sean Connery attributed the success in his life to being Scottish as he launched his new book here on Monday. Connery, a passionate supporter of Scottish independence, launched his long-awaited memoirs, entitled “Being a Scot,” at a literary festival in Edinburgh on his 78th birthday.

“Being a Scot has made all the difference in my life,” he said.

The book is a mixture of autobiography and Connery’s take on the influence of Scots on everything from history to literature and sport and features more than 400 photographs from his personal collection.

Connery said the idea started as a TV documentary series. “But as we were preparing the script we realised that it would be unworkable so we decided to make a book instead.

“Even then we ended up having too much, things were coming fast and furious,” he told a packed audience which included Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond, the leader of the Scottish National Party.

The book describes Connery’s childhood in the tough Fountainbridge area of Edinburgh and his first job – delivering milk on a pony-drawn cart – before his first appearance as 007 in 1962’s “Dr No”

Connery, who is regularly voted the favourite Bond, has not appeared in a major film since “The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen” in 2003.

He hinted a new project was on the horizon, but remained coy on what it was, saying: “I’ve a feeling there is something cooking. I don’t know what it is yet.” Despite his love of Scotland, Connery has lived for several decades in the Bahamas and has said he will only return to Scotland permanently when it gains full independence.—AFP