The best way to independence is through a referendum with the agreement of the UK Government, Nicola Sturgeon has said.

In her much awaited Brexit Day speech, the First Minister warned against any "wildcat" or consultative referendum and told independence supporters instead to keep building the case for an independent Scotland.

Speaking on the day the UK is due to leave the European Union , Ms Sturgeon made her speech at Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh.

It was her response to Boris Johnson refusing the request for the section 30 order needed to hold a legal referendum.

Ms Sturgeon said that any referendum had to be legal and beyond any legal challenge for it to be legitimate.

The First Minister, said: "For me to pretend that there are shortcuts or clever wheezes that can magically overcome the obstacles we face would be to do the independence cause a disservice.

"My job instead is to offer a path that can deliver independence.

"To achieve independence, a referendum, whenever it happens - whether it is this year as I want, or after the next Scottish election – must be legal and legitimate. That is a simple fact.

"And its legality must be beyond doubt. Otherwise the outcome, even if successful, would not be recognised by other countries."

Instead she said she was setting up a new Constitutional Convention and would invite all of Scotland MSPs MPs and the MEP's elected last year to take part.

She said she was not ruling out a "consultative referendum" but warned it could be a setback if sucessfully challenged.

She said:"If a proposal for a referendum on that basis was brought forward it would be challenged in court.

"If a court ruled that it was legal, it wouldn’t be a “wildcat referendum” as our opponents like to brand it – it would be within the remit of the Scottish Parliament.

"Now, should the UK Government continue to deny Scotland’s right to choose, we may reach the point where it is necessary for this issue to be tested. I am not ruling that out. "

However, she added: "But I also have to be frank. The outcome would be uncertain. There would be no guarantees.It could move us forward - but equally it could set us back."

The convention she said, would seek to come together to endorse a modern Claim of Right for Scotland.

She added: "To declare that it is for the Scottish Parliament to decide whether and when there should be an independence choice and build support for that principle amongst civic Scotland."