NEW materials for Yes activists are being produced to allow them to share the positive case for independence across the "length and breadth of Scotland".

Minister for Independence Jamie Hepburn said work "is well underway" to ensure these materials are made available to keen independence backers in a column for Yes.scot.

He expressed his gratitude for activists who campaign "day in, day out" and insisted it is their work that has led to around 50% of the country believing in the cause.

Hepburn said: "Support for independence has grown significantly to around 50% today.

"We must not lose sight of how far we have come, nor all of the activists who helped us get to this point and those who continue to campaign day in day out.

The National: First Minister Humza Yousaf

READ MORE: Tories 'set to ditch coalition of chaos with Labour' attack line

"Six weeks ago I was appointed Minister for Independence by First Minister Humza Yousaf. Every day since I’ve been working to build the case for independence, with a new independence prospectus paper set to be published in the coming weeks.

"I want to also pay tribute to the incredible amount of positive work ongoing across the Yes movement at the grassroots.

"Work is well underway to produce new materials for our activists so that we can take the positive case for independence to the doorsteps the length and breadth of Scotland."

Hepburn spoke to The National's Holyrood Weekly podcast this week and said he felt  there was a "real vibrancy" across the independence movement after meeting with the likes of Believe in Scotland and the national Yes network.

He said: "I've met with Believe in Scotland and the national Yes network and I'll shortly be meeting with the Aberdeen Independence Movement.

"I'm keen to engage and keen to make sure there is a positive relationship and good dialogue. I recognise that we won't agreee on every point and that's healthy; there should be a pluralistic approach to the independence movement.

"But where we can agre with one another then we should pull in the same direction."

Elsewhere in his column Hepburn mentioned how his appointment has "panicked" Westminster, something he also commented extensively on in The National's Holyrood Weekly podcast.

Scotish Secretary Alister Jack told the UK’s top civil servant that no government staff should be allowed to work under Hepburn.

Hepburn added in this column: "I won’t be distracted by a sabre-rattling Tory Governor-General who commands six MPs.

"It’s entirely legitimate for a democratically elected Scottish Government with a clear manifesto commitment to seek to advance Scotland independence and that’s exactly what I intend to do."