Johnson spokesman said the visit to Scotland is a fundamental part of his job, saying it is important that he is continuing to meet and see those who are on the front line.

Johnson met with members of the British army as they prepared a mass vaccination center in the city.

But his visit is also seen as an opportunity to stem growing support for another independence referendum in Scotland by arguing that the pandemic has shown the benefits of staying together.

The bonds that tie England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland together in a $3 trillion economy has been severely strained by both Brexit and Johnson's handling of the coronavirus.

Opinion surveys show that a majority of Scots would now back independence, though Johnson has repeatedly said that now is not the time for another referendum.