Alex Salmond has said he wants to hold an independence referendum in Scotland in the autumn of 2014.
The Scottish first minister said this date would allow people to make a "considered" decision on the country's future within the United Kingdom.
The news came as the UK government said its Scottish counterpart could not legally go ahead without its authority.
It has said it wanted to work with the SNP-led administration amid a row over the timing and conditions for a poll.
Confirming the Scottish government's preferred date for a referendum, Mr Salmond - who wants Scotland to leave the UK - said holding a poll in 2014 would allow all the necessary legislation required to authorise it to be passed and for proper preparations to be made.