THE organiser of the band of activists told us to expect shot answers as we set out at the start of the SNP’s day of action yesterday. People would be too busy to chat for long.

In the end our biggest problem yesterday, at least for those in the Borestone area of Stirling, was to get them to stop talking.

The day of action was the SNP’s latest tactic to broaden the support for independence and to highlight the chaos Brexit will bring the country.

The most recent opinion poll carried out by Deltapoll found that in the event of Brexit 47% of Scots would back independence, with 43% against and 10% undecided.

The day of action came after the SNP recently held national assemblies across the country for members to discuss and debate the independence proposals by the Sustainable Growth Commission. The party was aiming to engage with 50,000 people throughout the country during the day.

New campaign material which was handed out on doorsteps focuses on how other countries similar to size and resources of Scotland are successful when they govern themselves. The new “Hope for a better future” leaflet asked: “Scotland is one of the world’s wealthiest countries. So why doesn’t it feel that way for so many people?”

Stirling SNP organiser Lee Robb told the Sunday National: “We have knocked thousands of doors in the Stirling area over the past few months and there is a clear shift towards support for independence. That’s what today is about; offering a different path for people.

“Across the area, we have teams leafleting, knocking doors and holding street stalls. This is about making our party’s presence and the presence of our movement seen and heard; as well as listening to the views of local people.”

Stirling council leader Scott Farmer added: “People are sick to the back teeth with this Brexit chaos, and that is resonating on the doorsteps.

“Many people we have spoken to today who would never have voted Yes to independence before, are seriously considering it now. Our message is clear: Scotland needs the power to shape its own future.”

The day of action was also hailed as a success by prominent figures in the SNP. Keith Brown, the party’s depute leader, who organised the event, said: “It’s clear people are concerned about the threat of Brexit and what a no-deal scenario would mean for them.

“The Tories are increasingly divided and on the brink of implosion over Brexit. And Labour still, incredibly, don’t know they are doing.

“We are now on a campaign footing. We are building a fresh case for independence and we are also campaign-ready for any possible snap general election.”

Julie Hepburn, who previously worked for Deputy First Minister John Swinney and for Perth MP Pete Wishart, added: "We've had a phenomenal response from SNP activists around the country to our national day of action on independence, and an equally heartening response on the doorsteps.

"Today marks a shift change in our campaign for independence, and we'll be keeping up that momentum and making the case for independence at every opportunity.

"From the conversations I was having today, it's clear people are nervous about the impact of Brexit and many people who voted No in 2014 are becoming much more open to considering independence – not least as a means of protecting what we already have here in Scotland.

"It's up to those of us who support independence to keep up the campaign efforts, and build the foundations of a successful independence referendum campaign."