DOUGLAS Ross is on course to take the Tories back into third place at next Holyrood election, according to a new poll. 

If Survation are right, then the party could be overtaken by Labour next May. 

The Tories are down to 19% on the constituency vote, down one point on the firm’s last poll which was conducted at the start of September, just a few weeks after Ross  took over from Jackson Carlaw.  

That’s three points down on their vote in 2016. 

On the regional list vote, they’re down to 16%. At the last Holyrood election they were on 22.9%. 

READ MORE: Five key things about Scottish independence voters we learned from today's poll

Voters were also asked who they’d back at the next Westminster election, the Tories were down two points to 18%. Just last December, under Carlaw's leadership, they took 25% of the vote.

Meanwhile, the SNP has added to its lead in recent weeks. 

Nicola Sturgeon’s party is now on 54% in the constituency vote, up one point on the last Survation poll and seven and a half points on the last election. Labour remain on 18, and the Lib dems are up one to seven.

On the regional list vote, the SNP are on 43%, up two points on the last poll, Labour are up one on 19%, the Greens are on 10% and the Lib Dems on 7%.

At the next Westminster election, the SNP were up one point to 52%, Labour were down one at 20%, while the Lib Dems were on 8%.

According to the Ballot Box polling data Twitter account, that would give the SNP 70 seats, Labour 24, the Tories 19, the Greens 10 and the Lib Dem 6.

It would also, crucially for Yes supporters, mean an overwhelming majority for independence.

Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie said the poll predicted a "record number of MSPs" for his party in May.

"It’s clear that our constructive approach to opposition is appreciated by the public. From Scotland’s fairer tax system, to the reversal of unfair exam grades and free bus travel for young people from next year we’ve been working for Scotland to build a fairer and greener country, punching well above our weight and delivering time and time again."

The poll was also the twelfth in a row to show a majority of Scots now back independence, with 54% backing Yes, and 46% supporting No. 

“It’s clearer than ever that the UK simply isn’t working for Scotland," Harvie said. "More and more people are coming to the conclusion that we must take our future into our own hands if we are to build a better Scotland.”