First Minister Alex Salmond has vowed to continue campaigning for independence even if people vote No in the referendum.
The SNP leader said he would not let a negative result on September 18 divert him from his belief that leaving the UK was the “right way forward” for Scotland.
Mr Salmond, MSP for Aberdeenshire East, vowed to respect the result but hinted he would be prepared to lobby for a another referendum within 18 years. An exclusive Press and Journal poll published on Monday showed that 65% of 500 people across the north and north-east – areas dominated by the SNP – backed the Union.
The results emerged on the day the Scottish and UK government Cabinets met in the Aberdeen area to promote their vision of the future of the North Sea oil industry.
Mr Salmond said referendums were once-in-a-generation events and highlighted contests for a Scottish Parliament in 1979 and 1997.
“That is the sort of time period when referendums take place,” he added.
“Am I going to be deflected from my belief that independence is the right way forward for this country? Of course not.
“But I will respect the letter and the spirit of the Edinburgh Agreement.”
Mr Salmond said he did not think that people in England, Wales and Northern Ireland needed to be asked if they were prepared to share the pound with a foreign country.
“A referendum would not be required,” he said. “It would be a negotiating position between the rest of the UK and the Scottish Government after a Yes vote.
“The task we have is to explain the benefits of the sterling zone, not just to the people of Scotland, where the polls indicate there is very strong support, but also to the people of the rest of the UK.
“Our position is share and share alike – assets and liabilities – as we think it is right and proper we have a sterling union and we will enunciate and advocate that.”
Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander said he, Chancellor George Osborne and shadow chancellor Ed Balls were not bluffing when they ruled out SNP plans to keep the pound.