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Mr Johnson will make his first visit to Scotland today since winning the December general election. There, he is expected to claim that the “sheer might of our union” has strengthened the fight against coronavirus north of the border. Despite the patriotic rhetoric, many say that the visit signals a panic over the splitting up of the union.

Mr Johnson will tell Scots that if they stick with Britain they will continue to benefit from huge economic support.

The furlough scheme is one example that Westminster has used in proving that the UK is stronger together.

Yet, the Prime Minister’s visit comes as opinion polls suggest a surge in support for Scottish independence.

An estimated 54 percent of Scots now back a separation from the UK.

In a bid to further bolster Scottish support, Mr Johnson has pledged £50million to Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles, to help develop the islands’ economic potential.

Handouts for space technology and renewable energy are expected as part of the financial injection.

Further, at this week’s cabinet meeting, Mr Johnson ordered his ministers to make more visits to Scotland to boost their low profiles there.

The Prime Minister’s visit to Holyrood has, however, been derided by members of the Scottish National Party (SNP).

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Ms Sturgeon, who turned 50 on Sunday, joked that the best birthday gift she could get was a visit from Mr Johnson.

Holyrood and Westminster have for years been at loggerheads over the issue of independence.

In 2014, the long awaited “Indyref” took place.

Scots went to the ballot and voted “no” to leaving the United Kingdom, although public opinion on the issue has since changed.

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More bad blood between Mr Johnson and Ms Sturgeon was curdled earlier this year ahead of a joint climate summit in Scotland.

It was during an event organised by the think-tank, Green Alliance, known as the COP26 summit, that MS Sturgeon issued Mr Johnson a stark warning over their relations.

She urged the Prime Minister to not let their differences get in the way of solving the global issue of climate change.

It came as the government sacked the summit’s boss, Claire O’Neil, after she suggested Mr Johnson offer Ms Sturgeon a formal role to stop her Scottish National Party from wrecking the event.

According to The Sun, Mr Johnson replied: “Over my f**king dead body.

“I’m not being driven out of Scotland by that bloody Wee Jimmy Krankie woman.”

It was a reference to the 1980s Scottish comedy act, The Krankies, in which Janette Tough, 72, played schoolboy Jimmy.

In response, Ms Sturgeon said she hoped for her “concerns” about the government’s sacking of Claire O’Neil, who had been coordinating plans for the COP26 summit, would be laid to rest when a replacement was appointed.

She added: “There are plenty of issues Boris Johnson and I can have squabbles about.

“This really should not be one of them.

“I personally and my government are committed absolutely and unequivocally to working closely and constructively with the UK government and with other partners in preparing for the COP26.”

Ms Sturgeon said COP26 was even more important than the talks that secured the Paris Agreement on tackling climate change in 2015, as a result of the emergency and accelerated nature of global warming.

The COP26 summit was due to take place in November of this year, but has been postponed until next year as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

COP26 announced the news in April.

In a statement, it said: “This decision has been taken jointly by the COP Bureau of the UNFCCC with the UK and partners Italy.

Tackling climate change remains a key priority for the UK and the international community.”

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