NICOLA Sturgeon used Brexit day to stress to people in Scotland and across the world that “ independence has never been closer”.

The First Minister made the declaration as she delivered a much anticipated speech in Edinburgh setting out her steps to achieve a winning result in a new referendum on the country’s future which she insisted could still be held this year.

And she made it clear Scotland was at a pivotal moment in its history and that the country’s voters faced a fundamental choice “What this is for Scotland is a moment of understanding and recognition that there is a fork in the road,” she said.

“Boris Johnson’s path lies one way, the opportunity to be a modern, progressive, open, tolerant country at the heart of Europe lies the other.

“That other way can only come with independence.”

READ MORE: This is why slow and steady will win Scotland's independence struggle

Her speech comes amid frustration by some independence supporters who believe she did not do enough to capitalise on Scotland’s opposition to the UK’s withdrawal from the EU to increase support for independence.

Addressing them, she appealed for unity and patience, stressing the need to build a fresh case to win over voters who backed a No vote in the 2014 plebiscite – which resulted in 55%/45% split in favour of the Union – but who may now be ready to change their minds.

And she underlined how far the SNP had come since pre-devolution days when “independence wasn’t even a dot on the horizon”.

She said: “We have never been stronger. We are now part of a wider, vibrant Yes movement.

“And independence has never been closer. It is our strength that will make it a reality.”

She added: “History tells us that change often comes quickly after many years when the obstacles seemed great. In Scotland I believe we are on the cusp of such a moment.”

Some senior SNP figures have urged her to press ahead with a referendum without Westminster’s agreement but she argued such a move could result in “bitter” arguments about process and may be counterproductive. Instead, she favoured an approach that was “legal and legitimate” – even it that meant waiting until after next year’s Holyrood election.

She said: “What we in the independence movement must not do is allow a sense of frustration – understandable though it is – to take us down dead ends or weaken our sense of purpose. And we must not let the Tories turn a positive, persuasive and invigorating discussion about the best future for our country, into an arid and bitter argument about process and procedure. And this isn’t caution talking. It’s realism.

“For me to pretend that there are shortcuts or clever wheezes that can magically overcome the obstacles we face would be to do the independence cause a disservice. My job instead is to offer a path that can deliver independence.

“To achieve independence, a referendum, whenever it happens – whether it is this year as I want, or after the next Scottish election – must be legal and legitimate. That is a simple fact. It must demonstrate clearly that there is majority support for independence.

“And its legality must be beyond doubt. Otherwise the outcome, even if successful, would not be recognised by other countries. And the best way to achieve that, even though it may not be ideal, is to reach agreement with UK Government on a transfer of power to the Scottish Parliament, just as we did for 2014.”

READ MORE: Kirsty Strickland: Sturgeon’s speech was anything but cautious

With a YouGov poll published earlier this week showing 51% support for independence she unveiled measures to extend this majority including the doubling this year of SNP’s campaign budget to woo undecided voters. She also announced ministers will publish a series of papers setting out how Scots can “build a better future” as an independent country.

Watchdogs at the Electoral Commission will be tasked with testing the question “Should Scotland be an independent country?” – the one used in 2014 – in preparation for a second ballot.

And she promised a new Constitutional Convention, following on from the one which campaigned for the creation of the Scottish Parliament, to make the case for Scotland, and not Westminster, to have the right to determine when another referendum should be held.

After Boris Johnson rejected her call for the powers needed to hold another vote to be transferred to Holyrood, she argued: “The Tories are not governing Scotland – they are goading Scotland.” And she claimed it is their “fear” of the verdict of Scottish voters that is behind the decision to block a second referendum.

With some in the SNP voicing doubt over whether a ballot can take place before the end of 2020, she insisted it is “perfectly realistic”. She added: “I believe a referendum is practical this year, I believe it can be delivered this year, and I will continue to do all I can to bring that about.”