Alex Salmond has claimed that Scotland could declare itself independent without a referendum in the future.

The Scottish First Minister, who has said he is standing down after voters failed to back independence last week, said a referendum was the “best route” to statehood, but added that there were others.

He said if the Scottish Parliament was given more powers until “you have a situation where you’re independent in all but name … “then presumably, you declare yourself to be independent”.

“Many countries have proceeded through that route,” he said in an interview with Sky News’ Murnaghan programme.

Mr Salmond has previously said that he would accept the referendum result and that it was a “once in a generation” event. However, he said on Sunday that “there are always things can change circumstances”, saying if the UK voted to leave the European Union then Scotland or if the main UK parties failed to honour a pledge to devolve more power to Edinburgh then having another vote would be justified.

Mr Salmond also said that demographics would see support for independence rising in the coming years.

“I mean when you have a situation where the majority of a country up to the age of 55 is already voting for independence then I think the writing’s on the wall for Westminster,” he said.

“I think the destination is pretty certain, we are only now debating the timescale and the method.

In pictures: Alex Salmond's campaign for Scottish independence Show all 9 1 /9 In pictures: Alex Salmond's campaign for Scottish independence In pictures: Alex Salmond's campaign for Scottish independence The campaign for independence Alex Salmond stepped down as Scotland's First Minister and the leader of the SNP after the country voted no to independence Getty Images In pictures: Alex Salmond's campaign for Scottish independence The campaign for independence Alex Salmond said he accepted 'the democratic verdict of the people' PA In pictures: Alex Salmond's campaign for Scottish independence The campaign for independence First Minister of Scotland Alex Salmond chats to school children at Strichen Primary School in Strichen PA In pictures: Alex Salmond's campaign for Scottish independence The campaign for independence Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond delivers his final independence speech to supporters in Perth EPA In pictures: Alex Salmond's campaign for Scottish independence The campaign for independence On the last day of campaigning before the polling booths open, the SNP leader wrote to voters in a final attempt to convince them to vote for independence Getty In pictures: Alex Salmond's campaign for Scottish independence The campaign for independence It was decided to give Alex Salmond an extra year in government AFP In pictures: Alex Salmond's campaign for Scottish independence The campaign for independence Alex Salmond and Alistair Darling taking part in a live television debate in Glasgow on 25 August Getty Images In pictures: Alex Salmond's campaign for Scottish independence The campaign for independence Alex Salmond during the live television debate with Alistair Darling at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland on 5 August in Glasgow Getty In pictures: Alex Salmond's campaign for Scottish independence The campaign for independence Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond presents the White Paper for Scottish independence Getty Images

“I think Scots of my generation and above should really be looking at themselves in the mirror and wonder if we by majority, as a result of our decision, have actually impeded progress for the next generation which is something no generation should do.”

Johann Lamont, the Scottish Labour leader, told The Daily Telegraph that Mr Salmond should not try to “overthrow the will of the Scottish people in some sort of coup”.

“Having decisively lost a democratic referendum on independence, Alex Salmond is now suggesting the nationalists can ignore the sovereign will of the Scottish people,” she said.

“His words are fundamentally undemocratic and an insult to the people of Scotland. Salmond may regret the result but this reaction is dangerous and wrong.”