The Savanta ComRes research, commissioned by the Scotsman, is the 21st consecutive survey to put Yes in the lead.

A total of 1002 adults aged 16 or over were interviewed online between February 4 and 9.

Some 47% of respondents said Scotland should be an independent country, with 42% opposed.

When don’t knows are excluded, 53% backed Yes, while 47% backed No.

READ MORE: Here's how support for independence has changed in five years as 21st poll shows Yes lead

The Yes lead has dropped by four points since the last Savanta ComRes poll in January.

Yet the research put the country’s largest pro-independence party on track to win a landslide victory in May’s Holyrood election.

The SNP are forecast to win 54% of votes on the constituency ballot, with 43% of Scots backing the party in the regional list.

READ MORE: Boris Johnson spending millions of taxpayers' money on anti-independence drive

Such a performance would see the SNP return 71 MSPs (+10) and sit with a majority of 13.

The pro-Yes Greens, meanwhile, are on course to win 10% on the list vote, which would see them return a record high 11 MSPs, up five from 2016.

The survey found 23% of Scots would back the Scottish Tories in their constituency, with 21% backing the party on the regional list. That would be enough for 24 MSPs, down by seven from the last election.

Labour support stood at 16% on the constituency ballot and 18% on the list, which would see 19 MSPs elected, a decrease of five.

The LibDems are hovering around 6% of the vote on both lists, which would see them return four MSPs, down one on 2016.

The research also found a drop of eight points in the number of Scots who think the SNP is "united" – down from 50% last month to 42%.

But almost two-fifths (37%) of voters said Scottish Labour – which is currently in the midst of its latest leadership election – is divided.

Chris Hopkins, associate director at Savanta ComRes, said: "Our latest Holyrood poll for The Scotsman has some interesting changes from last month, most notably in the proportions saying the SNP 'is divided' rising by six points and, simultaneously, 'is united' dropping by eight points.

"These figures naturally have coincided with the ongoing Salmond inquiry and while there appears to be very little direct impact on the SNP in terms of the Holyrood voting intention, we do see a four-point drop in the indyref2 voting intention, although Yes still lead by six points."

SNP depute leader Keith Brown commented: "With 21 consecutive polls showing majority support for independence, it is clear that Scotland's future must be in Scotland's hands – not Boris Johnson's.

"People in Scotland have the right to decide their own future, in a post-pandemic referendum. The issue at the very heart of the election in May will be who has the right to decide what sort of country we should be after the pandemic – the people of Scotland or Boris Johnson?

"Scotland can reject Brexit, Tory austerity cuts and Westminster government's we don't vote for – and choose to build a strong, fair and equal recovery as an independent country.

"While polls are encouraging, the SNP will not take anything for granted. The only way to guarantee Scotland can decide our own future is with both votes going to the SNP in May."

Meanwhile, the Scottish Greens welcomed another indication that they're poised to secure they're best ever haul in a Holyrood election. 

Co-leader Lorna Slater said: “This poll is the latest in a long line to suggest that the Scottish Greens are headed for a record result in May.

“It’s clear that the public appreciate the constructive approach to opposition adopted by the Greens which has seen us punch well above our weight in this session of parliament, delivering for the people of Scotland.

“An astonishing 21 consecutive opinion polls have now demonstrated majorities in favour of independence. Scottish Greens will go into May’s election with a clear commitment to put Scotland’s future in Scotland’s hands.”