Sturgeon hasn't gone quiet on the referendum as such. The plans are still to hold one certainly if Scotland is taken out of the single market. It is the timing that has been confirmed as being once the results of the Brexit negotiations are clearer. I think Teribus is right in that she probably doesn't want one too quickly and probably never wanted one too quickly. Rather than being taken into the situation by the manifesto commitment re the change to our EU status, I am sure they would rather have played the long game as they have done for years. Unless there is a sea change in opinion (which I admit can happen) then sheer demographics mean a Yes majority will likely come about at some point as the older voters are replaced by younger voters. In Scotland the division between Yes and No is not so much sectarian like Northern Ireland can be. Much of it is age related. Supposedly about 70% or above elderly voters are No supporters.