Prime Minister Theresa May is set to meet First Minister Nicola Sturgeon in Edinburgh for talks on the future of the EU and the union.
Ms Sturgeon said she wanted to discuss options to protect Scottish interests, which she believes have been put "at risk" by the UK's vote to leave the EU.
Speaking before her visit, the PM vowed to fully engage with the Scottish government on Brexit negotiations.
Mrs May said her message was that the UK government was on the side of Scots.
'Special union'
She said: "This visit to Scotland is my first as prime minister and I'm coming here to show my commitment to preserving this special union that has endured for centuries.
"And I want to say something else to the people of Scotland too: the government I lead will always be on your side.
"Every decision we take, every policy we take forward, we will stand up for you and your family - not the rich, the mighty or the powerful.
"That's because I believe in a union, not just between the nations of the United Kingdom, but between all of our citizens."
Speaking on BBC Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme, Scottish Secretary David Mundell described the idea of Scotland remaining within the UK at the same time as remaining in the EU as "fanciful".
He told the programme: "I certainly don't think it's possible for Scotland to remain within the EU and the rest of the UK to be outwith the EU. I think that is fanciful."
Mr Mundell said he believed both Nicola Sturgeon and Theresa May would have a "constructive" relationship and their collective aim would be to get the best deal for Scotland and the UK in the EU negotiations.
'Particular impasse'
However, he warned: "Of course it's not going to be doable on a basis that satisfies Nicola Sturgeon's ultimate aim of making Scotland an independent country.
"Theresa May doesn't agree with Scotland being an independent country, I don't agree and two million people in Scotland who voted in our own referendum don't agree with that. So we're not going to be in agreement with that and we're not going to be in agreement with the idea that there should be another independence referendum."
Also speaking on the programme, the SNP MP Stephen Gethins, who is the party's spokesman on Europe, said he would like to see an acknowledgement from Westminster that Scotland voted differently from the UK referendum result.
He said: "We can find innovative political solutions to this if only the Westminster government are willing to listen."
He added: "You can find a solution whereby Scotland remains in the European Union within the United Kingdom, there are ways you can do that.
"Independence is also an option, but that's only one of a number of options that are being considered. But if you look at the way the European Union and the United Kingdom have found solutions over the past 40 years, I'd been very surprised if the political will is there, that they can't find a solution to this particular impasse at the moment."
'Protect and defend'
Speaking to Reporting Scotland, Ms Sturgeon said she hoped she would encounter a prime minister who was "open minded and constructive" about the options for Scotland.
The first minister said she wanted to find ways to protect areas including trade, university research, the rights of workers and influence on global policy such as climate change.
She added: "For those who still believe in the UK I think the onus is on them to prove it can still protect and defend Scotland's interests.
"Now, I am determined to find the best ways of protecting Scotland's interests and I'm prepared to work to see if we can find options within the UK context and the UK process that will now take place to do that.
"I've been very open that it may well be that if we want to protect those interests the best or the only option will be to consider whether we want to become an independent country.
"That's a decision that Scotland would have to take if we get there, but I'm open to examining all options."
The trip is Mrs May's first official visit as prime minister and comes two days after she was formally appointed by the Queen.
Cabinet reshuffle
Mrs May completed her first cabinet on Thursday, with leading Brexit campaigners Boris Johnson, Liam Fox and David Davis getting roles which will be crucial as the UK negotiates its withdrawal from the European Union - foreign secretary, international trade secretary, and "Brexit secretary" respectively.
The Scottish government is seeking a separate deal on relations with the EU after the Brexit vote - which the majority did not back in Scotland - a prospect dismissed by new UK Chancellor Philip Hammond.
In addition to her visit to Scotland, Mrs May is likely to continue to appoint junior ministers.
Her first cabinet saw the departures of Chancellor George Osborne, Justice Secretary Michael Gove, Culture Secretary John Whittingdale, Education Secretary Nicky Morgan and Work and Pensions Secretary Stephen Crabb.
Just four cabinet positions have stayed in the same hands: Defence Secretary Michael Fallon, Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt, Welsh Secretary Alun Cairns and Scottish Secretary David Mundell.
Ms Sturgeon said she wanted to discuss options to protect Scottish interests, which she believes have been put "at risk" by the UK's vote to leave the EU.
Speaking before her visit, the PM vowed to fully engage with the Scottish government on Brexit negotiations.
Mrs May said her message was that the UK government was on the side of Scots.
'Special union'
She said: "This visit to Scotland is my first as prime minister and I'm coming here to show my commitment to preserving this special union that has endured for centuries.
"And I want to say something else to the people of Scotland too: the government I lead will always be on your side.
"Every decision we take, every policy we take forward, we will stand up for you and your family - not the rich, the mighty or the powerful.
"That's because I believe in a union, not just between the nations of the United Kingdom, but between all of our citizens."
Speaking on BBC Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme, Scottish Secretary David Mundell described the idea of Scotland remaining within the UK at the same time as remaining in the EU as "fanciful".
He told the programme: "I certainly don't think it's possible for Scotland to remain within the EU and the rest of the UK to be outwith the EU. I think that is fanciful."
Mr Mundell said he believed both Nicola Sturgeon and Theresa May would have a "constructive" relationship and their collective aim would be to get the best deal for Scotland and the UK in the EU negotiations.
'Particular impasse'
However, he warned: "Of course it's not going to be doable on a basis that satisfies Nicola Sturgeon's ultimate aim of making Scotland an independent country.
"Theresa May doesn't agree with Scotland being an independent country, I don't agree and two million people in Scotland who voted in our own referendum don't agree with that. So we're not going to be in agreement with that and we're not going to be in agreement with the idea that there should be another independence referendum."
Also speaking on the programme, the SNP MP Stephen Gethins, who is the party's spokesman on Europe, said he would like to see an acknowledgement from Westminster that Scotland voted differently from the UK referendum result.
He said: "We can find innovative political solutions to this if only the Westminster government are willing to listen."
He added: "You can find a solution whereby Scotland remains in the European Union within the United Kingdom, there are ways you can do that.
"Independence is also an option, but that's only one of a number of options that are being considered. But if you look at the way the European Union and the United Kingdom have found solutions over the past 40 years, I'd been very surprised if the political will is there, that they can't find a solution to this particular impasse at the moment."
'Protect and defend'
Speaking to Reporting Scotland, Ms Sturgeon said she hoped she would encounter a prime minister who was "open minded and constructive" about the options for Scotland.
The first minister said she wanted to find ways to protect areas including trade, university research, the rights of workers and influence on global policy such as climate change.
She added: "For those who still believe in the UK I think the onus is on them to prove it can still protect and defend Scotland's interests.
"Now, I am determined to find the best ways of protecting Scotland's interests and I'm prepared to work to see if we can find options within the UK context and the UK process that will now take place to do that.
"I've been very open that it may well be that if we want to protect those interests the best or the only option will be to consider whether we want to become an independent country.
"That's a decision that Scotland would have to take if we get there, but I'm open to examining all options."
The trip is Mrs May's first official visit as prime minister and comes two days after she was formally appointed by the Queen.
Cabinet reshuffle
Mrs May completed her first cabinet on Thursday, with leading Brexit campaigners Boris Johnson, Liam Fox and David Davis getting roles which will be crucial as the UK negotiates its withdrawal from the European Union - foreign secretary, international trade secretary, and "Brexit secretary" respectively.
The Scottish government is seeking a separate deal on relations with the EU after the Brexit vote - which the majority did not back in Scotland - a prospect dismissed by new UK Chancellor Philip Hammond.
In addition to her visit to Scotland, Mrs May is likely to continue to appoint junior ministers.
Her first cabinet saw the departures of Chancellor George Osborne, Justice Secretary Michael Gove, Culture Secretary John Whittingdale, Education Secretary Nicky Morgan and Work and Pensions Secretary Stephen Crabb.
Just four cabinet positions have stayed in the same hands: Defence Secretary Michael Fallon, Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt, Welsh Secretary Alun Cairns and Scottish Secretary David Mundell.
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