PRO-INDEPENDENCE campaigners are confident of winning a morale-boosting victory in Glasgow University's mock independence referendum tomorrow.
Some 20,000 students are entitled to vote in the campus-wide poll, which is being closely watched – and supported – by the official Yes Scotland and Better Together campaigns.
The result will be presented by the victors as an early indication of student views.
However, only 10% of the university electorate is expected to turn out, according to sources in both camps, and it is not known how many of those will be eligible to vote in the referendum proper next year.
Both Yes Scotland and Better Together have been supporting student-led campaigns in a phoney war over the past month, providing posters and leaflets and arranging speakers for debates and hustings.
Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Scottish Greens leader Patrick Harvie spent much of Monday campaigning on behalf of Yes Scotland.
The SNP's External Affairs Minister, Humza Yousaf, has also appeared on the university campaign trail.
For the pro-UK Better Together campaign, Labour MSP Drew Smith and Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie have taken part in debates.
Yes Scotland sources said they were quietly confident of victory and suggested it would confirm polling last week, which showed a sharp rise in support for independence among the 18 to 24 age group.
It was an encouraging finding for the pro-independence side, which is trailing by about 20 percentage points according to a string of recent polls.
A spokesman for the Yes campaign said: "We have been closely monitoring the campus debate and have been struck by the very positive and optimistic message of the students campaigning for a Yes vote.
"The debate has been helpful in highlighting the fact that, while Westminster isn't working for Scotland, independence offers us a different and brighter path."
However the Ms Sturgeon sounded a note of caution, telling the Glasgow University Guardian newspaper: "If we win you will probably hear me saying on Friday that it's really significant, and it will be a boost, there's no doubt about it. But it's not going to help us predict what's happening in the referendum next year."
Better Together campaigner Carys Hughes said the campus referendum had helped create a strong pro-UK group.
But she added: "What has been extraordinary is the lengths that the separatists seem to be going to win a student election. It looks like they are throwing the proverbial kitchen sink at it.
"I honestly don't understand why the Deputy First Minister gave up several hours from what I would imagine is a pretty busy diary to go and take part in a student election.
"It will be a pretty major embarrassment for them if they don't win."
Polling takes place at Glasgow University Union, Queen Margaret Union and the Crichton campus, Dumfries, from 10am to 6pm tomorrow. The result is expected at 8.15pm.
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