Scotland spurned independence in a historic referendum that threatened to rip the United Kingdom apart, sow financial turmoil and diminish Britain's remaining global clout.

Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond Says He Accepts Majority of Voters Don't Want U.K. Split.

The news that Scotland has rejected independence from the rest of the United Kingdom -- by a relatively close 55-45 margin -- has reassured financial markets and many governments across the world.

As I write this here in Edinburgh at on Friday morning, the first thing to note is that the referendum on independence is all that everyone has been talking about in Scotland for months.

Scotland’s decision to remain part of the United Kingdom has narrowly averted what could have been a geopolitical catastrophe for the Obama administration and its allies at a time when they’re launching a war against the Islamic State and shoring up defenses against a newly emboldened Russia.

Scotland voters decided to remain part of the United Kingdom on Friday, rejecting independence in a historic referendum.

Prime Minister David Cameron reacted to the news that Scotland had rejected the independence referendum early Friday morning, saying he was pleased with the results.

People in Scotland are voting on whether the country should stay in the UK or become an independent nation.

Voters are answering "Yes" or "No" to the referendum question: "Should Scotland be an independent country?"

With 4,285,323 people - 97% of the electorate - registered to vote, it is expected to be the busiest day in Scottish electoral history.

Votes will be cast at 5,579 polling stations until 22:00 on Thursday. The result is expected on Friday morning.

With the future of the United Kingdom in the balance, Scottish voters streamed to polling booths on Thursday at the culmination of a spirited, emotional and divisive campaign that will determine whether they maintain their union with the rest of Britain or secede.

Polling stations across Scotland are reporting huge turnouts in today’s referendum vote. The ballot boxes opened at 7am this morning and around 97 percent of the Scottish adult population have registered.
At Hermitage Park Primary School there were a steady stream of voters from the moment they opened. Campaigners from both the ‘Yes’ and ‘No’ sides were flooding the streets in one last attempt to persuade the undecided population: believed to have been 8 percent last night.