Scottish independence will happen within five years, an academic who predicted the rise of nationalism has said.
Left-wing writer Tom Nairn shook the UK establishment more than 40 years ago when he forecast that support for devolution in Scotland and Wales would gather pace and eventually threaten the existence of the Union.
A parliament was eventually established in Edinburgh in 1999 and now consecutive opinion polls find independence to be in the lead.
Boris Johnson has vowed another referendum will not take place and last month described devolution as "a disaster" for UK unity.
Nairn, who grew up in Fife, has been described as the "intellectual godfather of modern Scottish nationalism".
The 88-year-old is now retired but still follows current affairs closely.
In an interview with Open Democracy, he said the dissolution of the Union was now intensifying.
“Within the next five years, in one form or another, break-up is likely to come about," he said.
He added: “What was once Great Britain, the British Empire, we’re struggling along to replace that with something else, with something new.
“Let’s go ahead, and see what comes out of the maelstrom.”
Last month Nicola Sturgeon revealed she wanted a second referendum on Scottish independence to take place in the "earlier part" of the next parliamentary term.
The SNP will go into next year's Holyrood election campaigning for Scotland to given the powers to hold another vote on the constitution.
With the Nationalists currently soaring in the polls it means Johnson could face huge pressure to allow an IndyRef2 to take place in the coming years - despite repeatedly saying he would not.
Speculation has mounted in recent weeks over the timing of when such a referendum could take place, with one former Yes chief telling the Record it could happen as soon as next year.
