More than half of Scottish voters want to remain in the United Kingdom, according to a poll released today.
Some 54 per cent of people in Scotland questioned by Ipsos Mori for the thinktank British Future said they wanted to stay in the Union, against just 29 per cent who backed independence.
The poll, released as the government set out its position on the terms of any referendum on independence, also showed similar majorities in both England and Wales in favour of Scotland staying in the UK.
According to the survey, voters north of the border are slightly more enthusiastic about preserving the Union than people in England or Wales.
Some 48 per cent of those questioned in England backed the Union, against 27 per cent who supported independence for Scotland. In Wales, 41 per cent wanted Scotland to stay in the UK, while 29 per cet said it should become independent.
Support for the Union was stronger among older people, with six out of 10 over-55s wanting Scotland to stay in the UK, compared to four out of 10 of those aged 16-44.
Independence for Scotland was more popular among men (32 per cent) than women (23 per cent).
And middle-class professionals were more likely to want to keep the Union (53 per cent) than those in lower skilled posts (46 per cent) or unskilled jobs (44 per cent).
:: Ipsos Mori interviewed 2,320 people across Great Britain between November 30 and December 6, including 497 in Scotland.