Scotland Votes “No” on Independence

3.6 million Scots voted on Thursday, an unbelievable 85% of the electorate, on whether to leave or stay within the United Kingdom. They were answering one simple question, should Scotland be an independent country? And the final tally … by a 55% to 45% vote, Scotland voters opted to keep its more than 300 year old union with Britain intact and say no to independence.

Scotland votes ‘No’: How the ‘No’ side won the referendum.

William Wallace was unavailable for comment.

Given a historic chance to go it alone as an independent nation, Scottish voters chose to stick with the United Kingdom following a campaign that was marked by extraordinary turnout and profound division.

Final results showed Friday that the “no” side won an overwhelming advantage, with a 55 percent majority compared to 45 percent for the “yes” camp. Unionist leaders proclaimed that Scotland had clearly voted to remain part of the United Kingdom. Supporters erupted in raucous celebration.

A “no” vote breathes new life into a 307-year union that had appeared in grave danger of breaking apart. The unionist victory was quickly heralded by relieved British officials who had come perilously close to having to preside over a messy and humiliating divorce.

Winners, losers as Scotland votes against independence.