SUPPORT for independence has risen to a record 55 per cent, flipping the result of the 2014 referendum, according to a new poll. 

Business for Scotland, which commissioned the Panelbase poll, hailed it as a "huge landmark".

It found 45% of Scots support staying in the UK, giving Yes a 10% lead, once undecided voters are removed.

Scots voted by 55% to 45% to remain part of the UK in 2014.

Meanwhile, a separate survey by Savanta ComRes put support for independence at 54%.

The polling firm also asked participants about their voting intention in next year's Holyrood election and put the SNP at 43%, the Tories at 21% and Labour at 16%.

The Scottish Greens were on 10% in the study, with the Lib Dems at 8%.

The polls are the latest in a string of surveys to find a majority of Scots now support independence. 

It comes despite efforts by Prime Minister Boris Johnson to emphasise the importance of the Union during the coronavirus crisis. 

Gordon MacIntyre-Kemp, chief executive of the pro-independence Business for Scotland, said: “The reversal of the 2014 result is a huge landmark; 55% Yes will send shockwaves throughout the political world. 

"There is no conclusion to draw from this new set of data other than the writing is very definitely on the wall for the Union.”

He added: “This poll is important when you consider that the Yes Campaign started at 27% and grew to 45% support over the period of the campaign.

“The referendum that will be demanded following May 2021 Holyrood elections, on these figures, would start with Yes to independence commanding a 10% lead. 

"Independence is now significantly the majority decision of the people of Scotland and its momentum looks solid.”

Panelbase questioned a total of 1,011 people across Scotland between August 12 and 18.

Overall, 51% said they support independence, 42% said they would vote to stay in the UK and 7% of voters were undecided.

When undecided voters were excluded, 55% favoured Scotland leaving the UK, with 45% preferring to stay in the Union.

Savanta ComRes polled 1,008 Scottish adults.

SNP depute leader Keith Brown said support for independence is "soaring". 

With the Prime Minister repeatedly ruling out a second independence referendum, Mr Brown said: "Boris Johnson's attempts to deny the right of the people to decide their own future is now utterly unsustainable."

He added: "With consecutive polls putting support for independence above 50%, it's clear this is not a trend but the established position of the Scottish electorate."