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Scottish independence: First referendum results declared Scottish independence: First referendum results declared
(35 minutes later)
The first results are coming in for the referendum to decide whether Scotland should stay in the UK or become an independent country.The first results are coming in for the referendum to decide whether Scotland should stay in the UK or become an independent country.
Clackmannanshire was the earliest to declare, with "No" winning 19,036 votes and "Yes" on 16,350 on an 89% turnout.Clackmannanshire was the earliest to declare, with "No" winning 19,036 votes and "Yes" on 16,350 on an 89% turnout.
Counting will be carried out through the night, with individual results announced for each of Scotland's 32 local authority areas.Counting will be carried out through the night, with individual results announced for each of Scotland's 32 local authority areas.
The final national result is expected after 06:30 BST (05:30 GMT) on Friday.The final national result is expected after 06:30 BST (05:30 GMT) on Friday.
Orkney was the second area to announce its result, with "No" winning 10,004 votes compared with 4,883 for "Yes" on a turnout of 83.7%.
Polling expert Professor John Curtice of Strathclyde University said the Clackmannanshire result would be a "considerable disappointment" to the "Yes" side, who would have hoped to have done better in what is Scotland's smallest mainland local authority.Polling expert Professor John Curtice of Strathclyde University said the Clackmannanshire result would be a "considerable disappointment" to the "Yes" side, who would have hoped to have done better in what is Scotland's smallest mainland local authority.
In other developments:
Commenting on the Clackmannshire result, Conservative MSP Gavin Brown said: "The bookies odds said that Dundee was favourite to get the highest percentage for 'Yes', and I think Clackmannanshire were second favourite to get the highest so I certainly thought Clackmannanshire would have a majority for 'Yes'.
"So for it to have a majority for 'No' is clearly welcome from our side. It's the first result, there's a long way to go and clearly in terms of actual voting numbers it is smaller than most local authorities, but it's a welcome start to the evening."
But SNP MSP John Mason, who represents Glasgow Shettleston, said that Clackmannanshire is "one of the smallest councils in Scotland so I think it's quite hard to read very much into that".
Mr Mason added: "What I see in the ballot boxes from Glasgow seems positive. Areas that we expected to be strong in, we seem to be doing well in, so the jury is still out I think."
A YouGov on-the-day survey published shortly after polls closed suggested "No" was on 54% and "Yes" on 46%.A YouGov on-the-day survey published shortly after polls closed suggested "No" was on 54% and "Yes" on 46%.
The survey questioned 1,828 people after they voted, together with the postal votes of 800 people, although it is not a traditional exit poll.The survey questioned 1,828 people after they voted, together with the postal votes of 800 people, although it is not a traditional exit poll.
YouGov said its responses suggested there had been a small shift from "Yes" to "No" on polling day, and also that "No" supporters were slightly more likely to turn out to vote.YouGov said its responses suggested there had been a small shift from "Yes" to "No" on polling day, and also that "No" supporters were slightly more likely to turn out to vote.
A "Yes" vote in the ballot would end the 307-year-old union between Scotland and the rest of the UK.A "Yes" vote in the ballot would end the 307-year-old union between Scotland and the rest of the UK.
Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond tweeted: "This has been a remarkable day. Scotland's future truly is in Scotland's hands",Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond tweeted: "This has been a remarkable day. Scotland's future truly is in Scotland's hands",
In other developments:
Analysis: Brian Taylor, BBC Scotland political editorAnalysis: Brian Taylor, BBC Scotland political editor
The evidence from throughout Scotland is of a large, indeed a phenomenal, turnout. A series of questions arise from that.The evidence from throughout Scotland is of a large, indeed a phenomenal, turnout. A series of questions arise from that.
One, will this benefit one side or the other? That depends upon differential turnout. Is one side or the other feeling more motivated, more inclined to participate?One, will this benefit one side or the other? That depends upon differential turnout. Is one side or the other feeling more motivated, more inclined to participate?
It had been thought that the more motivated side would be Yes. It had been thought this could be worth one or two per cent in the final tally.It had been thought that the more motivated side would be Yes. It had been thought this could be worth one or two per cent in the final tally.
However, at these huge levels of interest, that may be open to challenge. It seems that the entirety of Scotland is engaged. We shall see.However, at these huge levels of interest, that may be open to challenge. It seems that the entirety of Scotland is engaged. We shall see.
Read more from BrianRead more from Brian
SNP MSP Humza Yousaf conceded that the "Yes" campaign were the "underdogs" in the referendum, but said they relished that status.
Responding to the YouGov poll, he told the BBC: "We've had one poll, but it's not an exit poll and it certainly won't take into account the high levels of turnout that we're seeing and hearing about across the country."
Pro-Union campaigners were encouraged by the early signs in East Lothian, where postal votes were said by observers to clearly favour "No".
But a Labour independence campaigner at the Dundee count, where the total turnout was 78.8%, said the outlook in the city was very good for the "Yes" campaign.
Labour shadow foreign secretary Douglas Alexander said the story of the early part of the evening was the "enormous turnout".
"We should all feel both extraordinary pride and a certain humility when it comes to a turnout of this scale because it is literally unprecedented," he said.
"Predictions at this stage need to be taken with a barrel of salt not just a punch of salt."
As soon as Scotland's 2,608 polling places closed, work began to transport hundreds of ballot boxes to counting centres in each of Scotland's 32 local authorities.As soon as Scotland's 2,608 polling places closed, work began to transport hundreds of ballot boxes to counting centres in each of Scotland's 32 local authorities.
These will include votes cast from the 789,024 postal vote applications, which was the largest volume of registration for postal votes ever in Scotland.These will include votes cast from the 789,024 postal vote applications, which was the largest volume of registration for postal votes ever in Scotland.
The bulk of the local results are expected to come between 03:00 and 05:00 BST (02:00 and 04:00 GMT) on Friday.The bulk of the local results are expected to come between 03:00 and 05:00 BST (02:00 and 04:00 GMT) on Friday.
And, for the first time, 16 and 17-year-olds all across Scotland were able to vote.And, for the first time, 16 and 17-year-olds all across Scotland were able to vote.
Postal ballots
Once the results from all the local authority areas are known, chief counting officer Mary Pitcaithly will declare the result of the referendum at the Royal Highland Centre outside Edinburgh.Once the results from all the local authority areas are known, chief counting officer Mary Pitcaithly will declare the result of the referendum at the Royal Highland Centre outside Edinburgh.
However, running totals - which can be made from the first declaration onwards - may indicate a result earlier in the morning.However, running totals - which can be made from the first declaration onwards - may indicate a result earlier in the morning.
Many councils have reported busy polling stations throughout Thursday, with some seeing queues both ahead of the polls opening and throughout the morning.Many councils have reported busy polling stations throughout Thursday, with some seeing queues both ahead of the polls opening and throughout the morning.
More than 90% of postal ballots have been returned in several local authority areas, with total turnout put at 88.6% in Clackmannanshire and 84% in Orkney, the first two areas to announce how many people had voted. East Dunbartonshire has recorded the highest turnout so far, at 91%, with East Renfrewshire and Stirling slightly behind on 90.5% and 90.1% respectively.
But turnout in Glasgow was lower, at 75%, while in Dundee it was 78.8% and Aberdeen 81.7%.
Large numbers of independence supporters have gathered in George Square, in the centre of Glasgow, ahead of the result.Large numbers of independence supporters have gathered in George Square, in the centre of Glasgow, ahead of the result.
Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond, who led the pro-independence "Yes" campaign, cast his ballot at Ritchie Hall in Strichen, Aberdeenshire.Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond, who led the pro-independence "Yes" campaign, cast his ballot at Ritchie Hall in Strichen, Aberdeenshire.
Pro-Union Better Together leader Alistair Darling was greeted by a mixture of cheers and boos as he arrived at the Church Hill Theatre in Edinburgh to cast his vote.Pro-Union Better Together leader Alistair Darling was greeted by a mixture of cheers and boos as he arrived at the Church Hill Theatre in Edinburgh to cast his vote.
Referendum nightReferendum night
The BBC's Scotland Decides will bring continuous, up-to-date coverage all through the night, as well as comprehensive analysis. On Twitter, keep abreast of all the action overnight via @BBCPolitics and @BBCScotlandNews.The BBC's Scotland Decides will bring continuous, up-to-date coverage all through the night, as well as comprehensive analysis. On Twitter, keep abreast of all the action overnight via @BBCPolitics and @BBCScotlandNews.
A Scotland Decides programme presented by Huw Edwards will be broadcast on BBC One from 22:35 BST, while Scotland Decides The Result will be broadcast on BBC One Scotland.A Scotland Decides programme presented by Huw Edwards will be broadcast on BBC One from 22:35 BST, while Scotland Decides The Result will be broadcast on BBC One Scotland.
Or follow the results on BBC Radio 4's Scotland Decides programme presented by James Naughtie and Rachel Burden. BBC Radio Scotland will also provide live coverage from 22:00 BST until 06:00 BST.Or follow the results on BBC Radio 4's Scotland Decides programme presented by James Naughtie and Rachel Burden. BBC Radio Scotland will also provide live coverage from 22:00 BST until 06:00 BST.
You can also watch and listen to all the live television and radio coverage on the BBC News website.You can also watch and listen to all the live television and radio coverage on the BBC News website.
Did you vote in the referendum? Are you at a referendum party? Send us your pictures and tell us what the mood is like where you are by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.ukDid you vote in the referendum? Are you at a referendum party? Send us your pictures and tell us what the mood is like where you are by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
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