YES and No voters are sharply split over the effect the referendum debate has had on the nation and what its long-term impact will be.

A poll has found Yes voters are far more likely to believe the debate has been a good thing and there will be no long-term divisions.

Those intending to vote No are far more likely to believe the debate has been damaging and will cause continued social ­division after September 18.

The full poll results will be carried in The Herald's final Scotland Decides supplement on Wednesday, which will also carry interviews with Alex Salmond, Alistair Darling and the woman in charge of next week's count, Mary Pitcaithly.

The figures are based on TNS's most recent survey. Voters were asked to look beyond Referendum Day to the longer-term fall-out from the campaign.

A narrow majority of those polled, 51 per cent, thought the debate had caused divisions which would cause problems in the future, but this was dominated by those on the No side of the debate, 63 per cent of them taking this view in contrast to only 34 per cent among intending No voters.

On whether the referendum debate had been good for Scotland, 51 per cent agreed and 26 per cent disagreed.

But that majority was fuelled by 82 per cent support among those who plan to vote Yes, in contrast to 31 per cent of intending No voters.

A third question asked whether, after September 18, people would "just get on with things as usual, regardless of the result". There was 64 per cent agreement for this, with just 19 per cent against, with 59 per cent of No voters and 70 per cent of Yes supporters agreeing.

Tom Costley of TNS ­Scotland said: "It is evident that the referendum debate has ­generated some considerable discussion across the Scottish population and clear division of opinion as to whether it has been positive or negative for the country. Debate and discussion about the constitutional future of Scotland will continue whatever the result of the poll. It is to be hoped that it is conducted in the tolerant and rational manner that - with some notorious exceptions - has characterised the pre-referendum debate."

Yes Scotland Chief Executive Blair Jenkins said: "It's no surprise a majority of people believe the referendum debate has been good for the country.

"The whole nation has been engaged and excited by what is a ­remarkable exercise in democracy. Yes voters in particular believe that politics in Scotland have been ignited as never before.

"We have brought many thousands of people who have never before been involved into the democratic process."

A Better Together spokesman: "We have a vision that the whole of Scotland can unite around. There is a better way to secure that better nation we all want to see.

"We can have the best of both worlds. That's a strong Scottish Parliament, with more powers guaranteed, backed up by the strength, security and stability of the United Kingdom. It's what most of us want. And it's what, if we vote No, we will get."