Emotions, as Scotland rejects independence (PHOTOS)

Scotland has voted “No” to independence, therefore opting to preserve the 307-year-old union with the United Kingdom.

Alex Salmond

That spelt end of independence dream for Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond who had championed the independence course. He has since accepted defeat and called for national unity.

MailOnline reported that eager voters had lined up outside some polling stations even before they opened on Thursday. More than 4.2 million people had registered to vote - 97 percent of those eligible - including residents as young as 16.

The question on the ballot was: “Should Scotland be an independent country?”

The months of “independence” campaigns divided Scots and generated an unprecedented volume and intensity of public debate and participation. The Yes side, in particular, had energized young people and previously disillusioned working-class voters.

For some, it was a day they had dreamed of for decades. For others, the time had finally come to make up their minds about the future - both for themselves and for the United Kingdom.
“Fifty years I fought for this” said 83-year-old Isabelle Smith, a Yes supporter in Edinburgh's maritime district of Newhaven, a former fishing port. 'And we are going to win. I can feel it in my bones”.

But Smith’s dream did not come to pass with the “No” side securing 55% of the vote and “Yes” achieving 45%. “No” racked up 2,001,924 with Yes on 1,616,989.

After polls closed, some No campaigners said they were confident they had swayed enough undecided voters to stave off independence. They may have been helped by a last-minute offer from Britain's main political parties for more powers for Scotland if they reject secession.

Check out photos of how losers and winners reacted to the emotional referendum.