INDEPENDENCE campaigners immediately rallied behind Nicola Sturgeon after she set Scotland on course for a second referendum on leaving the UK.
In a statement delivered at her official residence, Bute House in Edinburgh, the First Minister said it was "highly likely" a fresh poll would be held within two years.
She said it was "democratically unacceptable" that Scotland should be forced to leave the EU after voting to remain, and announced plans to bring forward legislation at Holyrood to facilitate a vote.
The high profile campaign group Women for Independence responded by saying it was "organisationally ready" to fight another campaign less than two years after Scots voted by 55 to 45 per cent to stay part of the UK.
A petition launched by the Scottish Greens, calling on MSPs to "exhaust every option" to keep Scotland in the EU proved so popular it crashed the party's website.
In a clear show of support for Ms Sturgeon, Greens leader Patrick Harvie said a referendum "must be on the table".
He added: "The reality is that we have an EU vote that does not reflect Scotland's wishes and our voice must be heard."
Campaigners adopted a conciliatory tone in a bid to win over Scots who voted No in 2014.
Charley Jeffrey, professor of politics at Edinburgh University, predicted support for independence would rise to about 55 per cent in the polls on the back of the Brexit vote, despite continuing weaknesses in the SNP's economic case for going it alone.
"To say Scotland has been dragged out of the EU against its will is a powerful message," he said.
The Scottish bookmaker McBookie.com made a Yes vote odds on 1/2 favourite in a second referendum.
Ms Sturgeon issued her statement hours after it became clear Scotland had voted solidly for Remain by 62 per to 38 per cent.
Across the UK as a whole, people voted by a margin of 52 per cent to 48 per cent to Leave.
It is understood her cabinet will today discuss plans to introduce a Bill paving the way for a second vote in September, when Holyrood returns from its summer break.
She said she would prefer to put the legitimacy of the vote beyond doubt by agreeing a so-called Section 30 Order with the UK Government, the mechanism behind the 2014 vote.
She argued it was "inconceivable" the UK Government would attempt to block a referendum if Holyrood voted for one.
Ms Sturgeon will determine the timing of the next vote but stressed it would be within the two year negotiation period between the UK notifying the EU of its intention to leave and formally breaking away.
She also demanded a direct role in Brexit talks and said, along with London mayor Sadiq Khan, explore other ways to stay in the EU or retain access to the single market.
She added: "I am proud of Scotland and how we voted yesterday.
"We proved that we are a modern, outward looking, open and inclusive country.
"And we said clearly that we do not want to leave the European Union.
"I am determined that we will do what it takes to make sure that these aspirations are realised."
Ruth Davidson, the Scots Tory leader, and Kezia Dugdale, said they would oppose a second referendum, signally another divisive battle over Scotland's future.
Ms Davidson said a referendum would dash hopes of achieving stability in the wake of the Brexit vote.
She added: "The 1. 6 million votes cast in this referendum in favour of remain, do not wipe away the two million votes that we cast less than two years ago."
Ms Dudgale said key questions about independence remained "unresolved and unanswered".
She added: "Now is the time for calm heads.
"Labour's manifesto ruled out a second referendum in the lifetime of this Parliament - we won't be changing our minds any time soon."
Alastair Cameron, director of Scotland in Union campaign group said the Brexit vote had not given the First Minister a mandate for a second independence referendum.
Lindsay Gardiner, regional chairman for PwC Scotland, said: "The UK’s decision to leave the EU is already creating uncertainty and impacting business confidence in Scotland so to fuel speculation about another referendum at this early stage, would be both premature and unhelpful."
Grahame Smith, STUC General Secretary said: "While a second independence referendum will undoubtedly bring added uncertainty, the democratic wishes of the people of Scotland also need to be acknowledged."
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