The SNP government at Holyrood should live long and prosper, according to Scotland's biggest-selling newspaper.

The Scottish edition of The Sun endorsed the Nationalists for a third term in a Friday front page themed on Star Trek.

The splash depicts Nicola Sturgeon, John Swinney and Humza Yousaf as crewmembers on the Starship Enterprise, with the headline: "To boldly go".

The newspaper rates the incumbent party as "the best on offer" but urges Sturgeon to use Holyrood's new powers to deliver change for Scotland.

The leader column reads: "Attention First Minister, it's time to set maximum warp speed and steer Scotland to the stars.

"To boldly lead our nation to a bright and enterprising future.

"As we issue this challenge, we ask our galaxy of readers to stick with Nicola Sturgeon. Her party is the best on offer -- now we urge the Nats to plot a path to the next frontier."

Rupert Murdoch's red top has backed the SNP since 2011, when it advocated the return of Alex Salmond's administration under the banner: "Play it again, Salm".

Ahead of the 2015 general election, the Scottish Sun again told its readers to vote SNP, this time mocking up Nicola Sturgeon as Princess Leia, with the legend: "Stur Wars".

That front page was ridiculed by Labour supporters on social media for its appearance on the same day the national edition endorsed the return of the Conservatives to Downing Street. Scottish Labour had spent the campaign warning that the Tories wanted the Nationalists to wipe out Labour in Scotland.

The UK edition also sparked controversy during the 2015 campaign by Photoshopping Nicola Sturgeon in a skimpy tartan two-piece atop a wrecking ball, in homage to the music video for Miley Cyrus's pop hit 'Wrecking Ball'. The SNP leader, the tabloid warned under the headline "Tartan barmy", was set to wreak havoc on England by pulling the strings of a minority Labour government.

Critics accused the paper of sexism for its presentation of the First Minister.

The SNP has set phasers to stun on May 5, with polls predicting a second outright majority in the Scottish Parliament.

An SNP spokesman said: "We welcome the Scottish Sun's endorsement but what matters most is securing the backing of the people of Scotland -- and next Thursday people need to give both votes to the SNP to be sure of returning Nicola Sturgeon as First Minister."

A spokesman for the Scottish Conservatives said: "It's no surprise to see the Sun support the SNP, as it has done in the last couple of elections. What's important is its endorsement for Ruth Davidson as the best person to hold them to account."

Scottish Labour, the Scottish Liberal Democrats, and the Scottish Greens have been approached for comment.