NICOLA Sturgeon has moved to dampen her supporters' hopes of a swift re-run of last year's independence referendum, after a poll found a majority of Scots wanted to leave the UK.
The First Minister insisted her promise to call a second referendum only if there was a "material change in circumstances" still held.
An Ipsos Mori survey for STV News found 53 per cent of Scots would vote Yes and 44 per cent No, with just three per cent undecided, if a second referendum were held tomorrow.
It provoked a clamour for another poll among Nationalist activists who bombarded Twitter with the message: "Bring on #indyref2".
Ms Sturgeon's official spokesman sought to manage expectations, saying: "It is only one poll. It is interesting but it is a snapshot.
"Our position has not changed."
Despite saying last year's referendum a "once in a generation" event, Ms Sturgeon has outlined a number of scenarios she believes could trigger a second within the next five years.
They include Britain leaving the EU, if a majority of Scots voted to stay in, and the UK Government's failure to deliver more powers to Holyrood.
She is not expected to give an unconditional promise of a second referendum if her party wins a majority in next May's Holyrood election.
Nationalist strategists are wary of committing to another vote unless polls consistently show support for independence at 60 per cent, for fear a second defeat would put their cause back decades.
Derek Mackay, the SNP's business convener, echoed Ms Sturgeon.
He said the finding was "welcome" and showed the referendum's "legacy lives on" but added: "We must harness that energy and use it to tackle the big social and economic issues of our times."
He put the rise in support for independence down to unpopular
policies pursued by the Conservative Government at Westminster.
Ipos Mori quizzed 1002 people between Monday and Sunday last week.
Asked if they wanted a second referendum to be held, 50 per cent said they would support one in the next five years and 58 per cent in the next ten.
Looking at some of the "material changes" Ms Sturgeon has suggested could trigger a new vote, 52 per cent said they would support another referendum if the UK voted to leave the EU.
A further 41 per cent wanted an independence referendum if Trident were renewed and 50 per cent if English Votes for English Laws (EVEL) were approved, limiting the voting rights of Scots MPs at Westminster.
In line with other recent polls, the survey found the SNP on course to extend its Holyrood majority when Scots go to the polls next May.
It put support for the party at 55 per cent in the constituency vote and 50 per cent in the list vote.
According to the ScotlandVotes online seat calculator, that would give Ms Sturgeon's party 74 out of the 129 MSPs, up five on the 69 they won in 2011.
AScottish Conservatives spokesman said: "Nearly a year on from last year's referendum, this poll shows we must continue to make the positive case for Scotland staying part of the United Kingdom."
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