Boris Johnson is expected to visit Scotland within days as senior Tories “panic” over the future of the UK.
The Prime Minister wants to address growing support for independence, as shown by recent polls.
Johnson is said to be keen to direct Scottish Tories on how to take on the SNP over their record on key public services, such as schools and hospitals, in next year’s election.
It is understood UK ministers will be briefed on Tuesday about the likelihood of an SNP landslide victory at the next Holyrood election in May.
Key Conservative figures such as Michael Gove - who is responsible in Johnson's cabinet for the “integrity of the union” - are rattled by the prospect of SNP dominance and sustained majority support for leaving the UK.
One cabinet minister was reported as saying today: “Michael Gove is in panic mode about the Union and Boris is in irritated mode.”
Johnson is expected to make visits “all over the UK”, including Scotland as early as is this week, according to reports.
The UK Government’s Scotland Office would not comment on the PM’s plans today.
On Friday, the Prime Minister claimed the Union has “proved its worth” during the coronavirus pandemic. He said there was close collaboration between all four nations.
“It's the oldest, most successful political partnership in the world and we certainly don't want to see it broken up,” he said.
The SNP's deputy Westminster leader, Kirsten Oswald, said: "It speaks volumes of the Tory government's sheer disdain for the people of Scotland that Boris Johnson believes a quick pit-stop visit to Scotland will make people forget the devastating impact decades of Tory policies have had on Scotland - as well as their plans to drag Scotland out of the EU against its will in a matter of months and refusal to devolve key financial powers to protect Scottish jobs and businesses.
"This is nothing more than a tick box trip that will fool absolutely no one."
