MAJOR European countries have backed a place for Scotland in the EU in a new poll.

The findings from more than 8,400 people quizzed across seven European countries have revealed strong support for a future independent Scotland joining the European Union.

YouGov posed people with the question: "Would you endorse or reject Scotland joining the EU if it became separate from Great Britain?"

The survey was conducted across Germany, France, the UK, Finland, Sweden, Denmark and Norway with varying results.

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Almost three quarters - 71 per cent - of the 2,045 Germans polled said they would endorse a place in Europe for Scotland.

The poll pointed out First Minister Nicola Sturgeon had indicated another independence referendum would be held.

The Herald:

In France, 61 per cent of 1,008 respondents said they would support an independent Scotland's membership.

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The proposition was supported by 66 per cent of those polled in Finland, 64 per cent in Sweden, 67 per cent in Denmark and 46 per cent in Norway.

The poll found the lowest level of support recorded in the UK, at 41 per cent, with 29 per cent against.

A second question revealed 72 per cent of Germans, 68 per cent of French and three out of four Britons (75 per cent) agree it is “somewhat” or “very likely” that the Scots would vote for independence in a fresh referendum.

SNP MSP Joan McAlpine, Convener of the Scottish Parliament’s European and External Relations Committee, pictured below, said: "These are very encouraging figures showing that people across the continent value Scotland’s role in Europe ,and from France and Germany to Finland and Sweden, it’s clear that there is strong support right across Europe for Scotland’s EU membership.

The Herald: Joan McAlpineJoan McAlpine

“The First Minister has said that Scotland wants to play a positive, constructive, outward-looking role in Europe, and it’s clear that this message is being heard by citizens across the EU."

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Ms McAlpine added: "Scotland voted overwhelmingly to continue our place in Europe, and this evidence shows that people right across the continent agree that our voice must be heard and our vote must be respected.

“In doing so, the First Minister has made clear that no option is off the table, and the SNP in government will do everything we can to ensure that Scotland maintains its place in the European family of nations, rather than being dragged out against our will by a right-wing Tory Government.”