Scotland votes No to independence

Scotland has voted to remain part of the United Kingdom, rejecting independence by 55 per cent to 45 per cent in a historic referendum.

The result was declared in the early hours of 19 September, after a record turnout of almost 85 per cent.

The result

More than two million people voted No, and 1.6 million voted Yes. Twenty-eight of Scotland's 32 council areas voted to stay in the UK.

Glasgow, Scotland's largest city, voted Yes, along with Dundee, North Lanarkshire and West Dunbartonshire. Edinburgh and Aberdeen voted No.

It was the highest turnout at any election or referendum in the UK since universal suffrage was introduced. For the first time, 16 and 17-year-olds were allowed to vote.

Salmond to step down

Scotland's First Minister, Alex Salmond, who led the campaign for independence, has announced that he will stand down as First Minister and leader of the Scottish National Party.

He called on the UK government to keep its promises of more powers for the Scottish Parliament.

More powers

In the final days of the campaign, the leaders of the three main UK parties, David Cameron, Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg, promised that Scotland would receive extensive new powers if it voted No.

Speaking outside Downing Street, Cameron said the promises would be honoured, and that a new settlement would be drawn up. He also said that England, Wales and Northern Ireland should have more say over their own affairs, including on English votes for English laws.

A passionate campaign

The campaign has been one of the most intense in British political history, with huge public meetings and debates across Scotland. The Yes campaign closed the gap in the final weeks, and one poll put it ahead.

The No campaign, Better Together, was led by the former Chancellor Alistair Darling.

What it means

The result means Scotland will remain part of the UK, which has existed since the Act of Union in 1707. But the debate about Scotland's future is unlikely to go away.

The result has been welcomed across the rest of the UK. The Queen said she knew that people would come together in a spirit of mutual respect.