New Zealand could be a model for what an independent Scotland might look like, a Dunedin academic says. Scotland will next week vote on whether to become independent.

A new opinion poll puts opposition to independence at 53 percent, while 47 percent support breaking away from Britain.

Photo: RNZ / Ian Telfer

The survey, carried out on behalf of the Daily Record newspaper, excludes 10 percent of people who are undecided.

It's a turnaround from a shock poll result at the weekend, when a Sunday Times newspaper poll put the pro-independence vote ahead for the first time, by 51 percent to 49.

Otago University Professor of Scottish Studies Liam McIlvaney, who has championed the independence movement, said suggestions Scotland could not go it alone overlooked the fact many small countries were succeeding.

"As an example of a small country that has, if you like, gradually disengaged from Britishness over a period of decades, I think New Zealand perhaps gives us some indication of what an independent Scotland might look like."

Prof McIlvaney said he was not planning a celebration yet but would love to think the Scots would vote yes next week.

Meanwhile, the leaders of the main British parties have made a plea for a vote against Scottish independence, as they campaign north of the border ahead of the referendum.

Prime Minister David Cameron said he would be "heartbroken" in the event of a "Yes" vote, while Labour leader Ed Miliband said the case for the Union came from the "head, heart and soul", the BBC reported.

Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond said the leaders could not be trusted.

Mr Cameron and Mr Miliband abandoned their usual Prime Minister's Questions session in the House of Commons to head north, after other recent opinion polls suggested the referendum race was now neck and neck.