The first minister says it is time for her to set out the way forward.

Ms Sturgeon says "doing nothing" would perhaps be the easiest thing but would leave Scotland "hoping for the best".

She says the UK government's course could damage the economy and the country Scotland is. 

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon says there has been a point-blank refusal to discuss in any meaningful way a differentiated deal for Scotland.

Ms Sturgeon says the UK is trying to muscle in on the powers Scotland have.

Ms Sturgeon says she will do evertyhing she can to ensure Scotland's interests are protected.

Ms Sturgeon says: "I cannot pretend a compromise agreement is remotely likely."

Ms Sturgeon says Scotland's Place in Europe was published in good faith with "significant compromise".

The first minister says it was also set out how greater powers for Scotland could protect the country's interests.

"The UK government has been given every opportunity to compromise."

Ms Sturgeon says the UK government hasn't "moved an inch". 

The first minister says Brexit has implications for our society and for our democracy.

Ms Sturgeon says: "It is not just our relationship with Europe that is at stake, what is at stake is what sort of country we become."

She says we must not be at the mercy of events.

The first minister says, since last June, her focus has been to try to find agreement with the UK government.

Image source, bbc

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon says the collapse of the Labour party means a "prolonged period of an unchecked Tory government".

Ms Sturgeon says "we face the prospect of a centralisation of power in Westminster".

The fist minister says this has "massive implications for Scotland". 

Ms Sturgeon says Article 50 may be triggered tomorrow.

The first minister says it is important she sets out the Scottish government plans to protect Scotland's interests.

She says: "I wish that we weren't in this position, but we are."

The first minister says we face a future outwith the EU and the world's biggest market.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon enters the room and walks to the podium.

Image source, bbc

The great and the good of Scottish political journalism are settling down in anticipation.

Image source, bbc

The triggering of Article 50 should not be a "red line" for talks over Scottish engagement in the Brexit process, Scottish Secretary David Mundell has said .

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon warned that "time is running out" to find an agreed UK-wide position on Brexit, calling  the coming weeks "critical" .

But Mr Mundell told MSPs that talks could continue after Article 50.

He also said the Scottish government was "entitled" to a formal response to its papers of Brexit proposals.

Mr Mundell and fellow UK government minister Greg Hands both gave evidence to Holyrood's culture, Europe and external affairs committee on the implications of Brexit for Scotland.

Image source, bbc

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said at the weekend that he would be "absolutely fine" with a second referendum if Holyrood voted for one, and said it was not the job of Labour "to prevent people holding referenda".

His comments sparked a furious reaction from senior Scottish Labour figures, including economy spokeswoman Jackie Baillie and the party's only MP in Scotland, Ian Murray.

Speaking to the BBC's Today programme on Monday morning, Mr Corbyn  attempted to clarify his remarks .

He said: "If the Scottish Parliament decided they wanted to have a referendum then it would be wrong for Westminster to block it.

"But let's be absolutely clear, I do not think there should be another referendum, I think that independence would be economically catastrophic for many people in Scotland."

Image source, THINKSTOCK

Scottish voters rejected independence by 55% to 45% in the referendum in September 2014.

Recent opinion polls have suggested there continues to be a narrow majority in favour of remaining in the UK - although the gap may have closed since Mrs May's speech outlining her plans for Brexit,

The Scottish Parliament currently has a narrow pro-independence majority, with the SNP and Greens in favour and the Conservatives, Labour and Liberal Democrats opposed.

If MSPs were to vote to hold a referendum, they would require the permission of Westminster to make it legally binding - but the prime minister has so far avoided saying whether or not she would give consent.

Image source, Thinkstock

Ms Sturgeon will make her statement at her official Bute House residence shortly as legislation paving the way for the UK prime minister to begin the formal Brexit negotiations faces its final test in parliament.

If the Article 50 Bill triggering the exit from the EU is passed, it could win royal assent as early as Tuesday, allowing Mrs May to begin the two-year Brexit process.

Ms Sturgeon has previously hinted that the autumn of 2018 would be a suitable time to call a referendum unless the prime minister accepts a series of demands set out by the Scottish government ahead of the formal triggering of Brexit.

The demands include allowing Scotland to remain a member of the European single market even if the rest of the UK leaves.

Theresa May has promised to examine the proposals - but has not indicated that she is likely to accept them.

Brian Taylor
BBC Scotland Political Editor

BBC Scotland's Political Editor Brian Taylor told the Good Morning Scotland programme: "I think it will be the final warning to the UK government saying to deal with Scotland, deal substantially with Scotland, set out terms for the way Scotland will be treated distinctively, or else.

"But I think she will go further than that. I think that she is probably getting, like the rest of us, slightly exasperated by tiptoeing towards the referendum.

"And I think it will be the detailed terms as to how and when and where and why a referendum takes place, and I think she will set it out in very precise terms."