Independence campaigners could make "winning progress" if another vote was held, according to an SNP minister.
Scotland's Brexit minister Michael Russell suggested a boost had come from Theresa May's plans for a so-called 'hard Brexit'.
And he reiterated his warning that the "clock is ticking" on the issue.
Read more: SNP MPs at Westminster will 'absolutely' vote against triggering Article 50
But he denied that the prospect of another vote on Scotland's future was a threat.
He told the BBC: "There's no threat being made, we said at the beginning of this (Brexit) process there were a serious of options that needed to be considered, we went through them very carefully.
"We also said there is a democratic mandate, which there is, to hold another independence referendum should we be taken out of Europe against our will, that was actually in the manifesto."
John Lamont, the Scottish Conservative chief whip, hit back saying that the "increasingly bullish remarks from senior SNP figures on independence are an affront to the majority of Scots who have no interest in a second referendum and do not support separation."
Read more: SNP MPs at Westminster will 'absolutely' vote against triggering Article 50
Meanwhile, former top cop and ex-MSP Graeme Pearson has been appointed chief executive of anti-independence campaign group Scotland in Union.
The former head of the Scottish Drug Enforcement Agency and ex-Labour MSP said: “Like most people, I hoped the decisive result in the 2014 referendum on Scottish independence would be the end of the division and uncertainty created by our constitutional debate.
“Regrettably, the nationalists have refused to take no for an answer, and are now using the Brexit decision as a new grievance, despite the fact Scotland clearly doesn’t want another referendum.
“I believe that all of us who don’t want another referendum should stand up and be counted. That is why I have decided to join the Scotland in Union campaign, and I would encourage everyone who agrees with me to make their voice heard by doing the same.
Read more: SNP MPs at Westminster will 'absolutely' vote against triggering Article 50
“Together, we can send a clear message that the nationalists do not speak for us and by removing the threat of another referendum, we can focus on achieving our ambitions for our country.”
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