SCOTLAND'S Highlands and Islands have become the most pro-independence area in the country, according to a new poll.

The Ipsos MORI survey for STV found national support for Scottish independence is at its highest level for a year, with backing for Yes at 55%.

Excluding undecideds, it suggests the result of the 2014 referendum may be reversed if another was held now.

The poll suggests support for independence is highest in the Highlands and Islands - despite the area voting No in the 2014 referendum.

READ MORE: What can be learned from the latest poll on Scottish attitudes to independence?

Support for Yes in the Highlands and Islands stood at 61%, more than a 10-point difference from the highland and island constituency votes in the 2014 referendum.

Some 52.92% of Highland voters oped to remain in the UK in 2014, while 67% in Orkney, 63% in Shetland, 57% in Moray, 53% in Eilean Siar and 58% in Argyll and Bute also opted for a No vote.

Glasgow, Dundee, North Lanarkshire and West Dunbartonshire were the only constituencies in Scotland to vote Yes in the 2014 indyref.

It comes as Boris Johnson's approval ratings hit a record low in Scotland, where four in five Scots said they were "dissatisfied" with his performance.

Managing director of Ipsos MORI Scotland said disapproval with the Prime Minister may be fueling rising Yes support.

She said: “The Yes camp may be benefiting from what has been a very bad week for Boris Johnson and the Conservatives at Westminster, with fieldwork taking place after heated debate about MPs’ second jobs. 

“This is certainly reflected in Johnson’s own ratings, which have fallen to a new low.”

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Nicola Sturgeon remained the highest-rated party leader, with Scots overwhelmingly positive about the Scottish Government's handling of the covid vaccine.

However, most voters remained unhappy with the Government's handling of health and education.

Responding to the results, SNP depute leader Keith Brown MSP said: “I welcome this extremely encouraging poll that shows the majority of people in Scotland would back Scotland choosing a better future as an independent country."

A representative sample of 1107 Scottish adults were interviewed by phone between November 22 and 29 for the Ipsos MORI survey.