Scotland is likely to become independent within 10 years even in the event of a No vote, according to a former leader of the SNP.
Gordon Wilson said he “hoped he was wrong” as he predicted a defeat for Yes Scotland at the ballot box in September next year.
But the man who was Alex Salmond’s predecessor, serving from 1979 until 1990, claimed Scotland would “drift” further away from the rest of the UK if the electorate rejected the Scottish Government’s proposal.
Mr Wilson said: “Independence is coming, of that I have no doubt. Whether it is in a five to 20-year period, I don’t know. I think it’s most likely it will be within 10 years. I think this is just the beginning.”
The UK is viewed unfavourably across the world, Mr Wilson claimed, citing his experiences in the Middle East and China, while saying such countries “sneer at Britain”.
He also said he would have run a negative campaign to instil a fear of the UK into Scots.
“I would have been running a campaign over six years taking the union by the throat,” he added. “You have really got to put down a base level with people and then start to unveil the risk factor.
“So far the risk factor has all been on the dangers of Scotland being independent.”
Mr Wilson added: “I am not saying the campaign is failing there is still a long way to go just that I would have run a different one.”
He also said the rest of the UK would punish Scotland in the event of a No vote, adding: “You don’t pull the tail of a tiger and expect no response.”