First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said the Scottish MPs may try to block the UK from leaving the European Union.
The SNP leader said she believes the Scottish parliament would have to give "legislative consent" to laws taking Britain out of the bloc and that if this did arise she would "of course" ask for the motioned to be blocked.
The timescale for another Scottish referendum will be dictated by when and if David Cameron begins negotiations for Britain to withdraw from the EU, Alex Salmond has said.
The former Scottish First Minister and remain supporter told ITV News's Tom Bradby that another vote on Scottish independence could take place within two years.
"From when that starting gun is fired, it's a two-year period," Mr Salmond said.
"So whatever that period is - two years, two-and-a-half years, that would have to be the timescale of the next referendum because what you would want to do is remain in the European Union while the rest of the UK moved out."
Mr Salmond pointed out that the SNP's manifesto said if Scotland was "dragged out" of Europe against the will of the Scottish people, then the Scottish parliament should have the right to hold another independence referendum.
The party leader said her MPs may be in a position to act as deal makers - and they would refuse to allow an exit from the EU.
Scotland's First Minister said her government will seek 'immediate discussions' with Brussels to "protect Scotland's place in the EU".
An emergency meeting will be held today to discuss the Scottish government's next steps following the UK's decision to leave the EU.