Referendum Special: 18.30-19.30 Reporting Scotland

But for Scotland, the campaign continues. The dream shall never

die. The First Minister Alex Salmond has

resigned after losing the referendum vote. For me, my time as leader is

nearly over. But for Scotland, the campaign continues and the dream

shall never die. Mr Salmond says he will stand down after the SNP

conference. We will assess what it means for the country and we will

look back at his career. The shop decision came as the no campaign

celebrated victory. -- shock decision. The three pro-union

parties have made clear commitments on further powers for the Scottish

parliament. We will ensure that those commitments are honoured in

full. We would be looking back on an extraordinary night, as independence

supporters continue to party with defiance. We will assess how this

huge turnout affects the future of all of Scotland. We had a balanced

debate, we would have won. Such a sad missed opportunity.

Scotland is to stay in the United Kingdom.

Alex Salmond is to go as the country's First Minister.

Mr Salmond made the announcement of his resignation as First

Minister and as SNP leader late this afternoon, saying the party

In the wake of last night's vote, the question now is where does

The Prime Minister David Cameron has pledged to honour

the promises made for constitutional change but there is already

Over the next hour, we'll bring you the latest developments

in this changing story, but first Glenn Campbell reports on

He led his party, his government and his country to the point of decision

on independence. And within 12 hours of losing the referendum, Alex

Salmond decided it was time for someone else to take over at the top

of the SNP and as First Minister. I believe this is a new exciting

situation redolent with possibility. But in that situation, I think that

party, parliament and country would benefit from new leadership. He will

trigger an SNP leadership conference at the party conference in November

and will resign when a new leader has been elected. -- SNP leadership

vote. It has been the privilege of my life to serve as First Minister.

But this is a process that is not about me, the SNP or any other

political party, it's much more important than that. The position is

this. We lost the referendum vote, but Scotland can still carry the

political initiative. Scotland can still emerge as the real winner. For

me as leader, my time is nearly over. But for Scotland, the campaign

continues and the dream shall never die. No, 139,788.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE It was this referendum result in

Fife which put a yes vote he and reach and Mr Salmond's lifelong

dream of referendum independence was locked away for at least a

generation. This SNP minister hoped he would

stay. We are so lucky to have the most popular First Minister we have

ever had. He remains the most popular politician in Scotland.

There is a job of work to do... You would want him to stay? Absolutely.

He is not tipping a successor, but Nicola Sturgeon is the favourite.

She said she owes him an immeasurable debt of gratitude. Alex

Salmond was elected leader in 1990, he quit a decade later having led

his party into opposition in the new Scottish parliament. There would be,

he said, no return to the front line. If nominated, I will decline.

If drafted, I will defer. If elected, I will resign. But in 2005,

he became leader for a second time following the resignation of John

Swinney. He took his party into power for the first time, he has

dominated politics in the decade since and tonight his rivals paid

tribute. Alex Salmond has been a formidable front line politician.

Whatever our disagreements, he has always spoken his mind and stood up

for what he believed in. If he thinks it is right, it is the right

decision. Party leaders always know when they should go, they don't

always admit it to themselves. David Cameron said:

Near parliament in Edinburgh, reflections from the public. A bit

of a shock, I thought he would take longer. I think Nicola Sturgeon is

becoming person in the party. When I heard he had resigned, I was very,

very sad but I think he will go down as one of the great Scots in

history. He is quite a divisive figure, but I think people who lead

often are. He has certainly led from the front. It has been an

extraordinary career and it is not over yet. But when Alex Salmond does

stand down, he will know his place in Scotland's story is secure. The

Queen has said: It as a result all of us throughout the United Kingdom

will respect. There will be strong feeling and contrasting emotions

among family, friends and neighbours. She goes on to say that

she has no doubt that these emotions will be tempered by understanding of

the feeling of others, and that we should remember that despite the

range of views expressed, we have in common and enduring love of

Scotland. That is one of the things that helps unite us all.

Our political editor Brian Taylor is live at Bute House tonight,

the official residence of the First Minister.

Those lines from the Queen, I don't think I have ever heard such strong

sentiment made public from Her Majesty. No, and at some length as

well. It's a statement from the palace, of course, urging unity on

the one hand, and offering the role of the Royal Family to encourage and

cajole towards that unity. Of all the organisations of state, the

Palace, the monarchy seems to me to have got the concept of devolution

most clearly. The Queen stayed neutral, although there was a hint

when she advised people to think carefully about the decision, but

this is a statement urging unity across the nations of the UK. You

are outside the First Minister's official residence, you know him

very well, you were there for his statement this afternoon. What was

the thinking behind his decision? Two things. I think that personally

and politically he has been leader for 20 years, with an interregnum of

four years, so a quarter of a century either at the top or

standing down from it. As he said himself, rather a good shift at the

coal face. Secondly, political strategy. Mr Salmond is aware that

this was a good result for independence, better than they have

achieved in the past, it was an energetic campaign that managed to

bring the people into play as well, but it was still a defeat. Mr

Salmond knows that he is therefore, regardless of those caveats,

associated with defeat. And he believes the momentum to drive

forward the change he thinks Scotland needs to take it from base

camp to the summit, as he described it himself, is now better than with

other individuals. There is a piper playing across the road here outside

Bute House. He says he is playing a lament for Alex Salmond. Thank you,

we will be joining you later in the programme to discuss Alex Salmond's

legacy. So, an historic vote -

55% to 45%. A record-breaking night with

a turnout of 85%, that's more than 3,600,000

casting their votes. It was a long night at the end of

two years of campaigning. Yes, 114,148.

APPLAUSE No, 130 9000, 788.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE Confirmation of the referendum

result in the early hours. 140,000 voters in Fife would take

the no support across the finishing line. Yes campaigners had already

accepted it. But even in defeat they want political change was

inevitable. Over 1 million people voting for independence, many of

those will have voted no to independence because they believe

that would deliver substantially more powers for the Scottish

parliament, there is a big appetite for substantial change. We are

emphatically not seeing tonight any kind of endorsement of the status

quo. In Westminster, the Prime Minister announced powers would be

devolved to all for UK nations to this tame -- to the same time scale

as that offered to Scotland. Lord Smith of Kelvin, who so successfully

led Glasgow's Commonwealth Games, has agreed to oversee the process to

take forward these devolution commitments, with powers over tax,

spending and welfare, all agreed by November, and draft legislation

published by January. Just as the people of Scotland will have more

power over their affairs, so it follows that the people of England,

Wales and Northern Ireland must have a bigger say over theirs. This

announcement followed a long night where it took several hours before

the picture became clear. The first declarations were in small council

areas, the Western Isles result. It meant there was still no

breakthrough for the yes side. The face of the campaign's chairman

appeared to say it all. On the streets of Glasgow, though, the

losing streak didn't dampen the party atmosphere. Hundreds crowded

into George Square to mark an important day in Scottish history.

The spirits here were nothing but high. Yes, 53,620. Dundee was the

first area to go yes. It was decisive and it made the race neck

and neck. Yes, 33,720. For a full five minutes, the glum faces were

gone, yes was ahead with 50.2%. It was a lead which would crumble, to

steal the final moment of the chief accounting officer's duties. In

response to the referendum question, should Scotland be an

independent country, we are in favour of no.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE But the story was far from over.

Concord between the Westminster parties of more devolution has

already come under threat. What you can't do, I think, is come up with a

solution that has loads of Scottish MPs hanging around, still nominally

representing Scotland, but not able to vote on any matters that affect

Scotland, but only on things that affect England, which is not their

area of representation. That is a problem that has got to be sorted

out. It had been a long night, but it will be some time yet before the

political future of Scotland becomes clear.

I'm joined now by the Finance Secretary John Swinney, who was

Did you know Alex Salmond was going to resign? I knew this morning when

he told me he was going to do that. Any inclination before that? No.

Alex was giving the referendum everything he had to give. We fought

a tremendous campaign. Alex gave the most astonishing contribution,

leading us into that referendum and delivering the result which I am

very proud of, 1.6 million people voting for independence in the

referendum yesterday. It wasn't enough to win, and I am hurting

about that today, but he got us to a great place in terms of the support

we attracted. In the aftermath of that, he thought about what was the

right thing to do and he decided today to step down. We respect him

for that decision, and I certainly want to make clear on behalf of his

parliamentary colleagues and the party membership how deeply profound

our gratitude is for the way he has led us over the last ten years. Was

it accepted within the inner circles of the party that if it was a no

vote, he would have to go? No, that was not in anyway discussed. Alex

has decided. He has led the party not once over ten years, he has done

it twice. I led the SNP for four years, it is not a key party, it is

immensely demanding. When he came to see me tell me that he was going to

be my successor, I said, look, are you sure? -- it is not aid the

party. It is an awesome task to become a party leader twice. Awesome

achievements are what you think of when you think of Alex Salmond.

Nobody thought we could become the government and we did. Nobody

thought you could win a majority in our Parliament and we did. Most

people thought we couldn't actually managed to hold a referendum and we

did, with an 85% turnout in a great democratic triumph. I think awesome

is the assessment I would put on the achievements of Alex Salmond. The

suggestion is that his going paves the way for another referendum in

the not too distant future, because it was his pledge that it wouldn't

happen for a generation, not the new leader, whoever he or she might be.

I said during the referendum campaign, and Alex and various other

members of the party said, Nicola Sturgeon as well, that the

referendum was a once in a generation opportunity and I don't

think anyone would expect the day after the referendum to say, oh, we

have suddenly changed our minds. It is a once in a generation issue.

What we are focused on now, we have made it clear on the First Minister

made it clear to the Prime Minister this morning, that we will work to

make sure the commitments that were made during the referendum of

additional powers for the Scottish Parliament, pledges made solemnly by

the three UK party leaders, which in my view have affected the outcome,

it persuaded some people who were going to vote yes to vote no

instead, because they were told to vote no and they will get more

powers... These have to be delivered in the timescale agreed. Thank you

very much. Lots of reaction in Westminster to

the resignation of the First Minister and the no vote. David

Porter, what is being said there tonight? An extraordinary 24-hour is

in UK and Scottish politics. This time yesterday, there were many

people in the building behind me who were not sure how the result would

go. They thought maybe the yes campaign would win, that the UK as

we know it would dissolve. And that David Cameron could well be calling

in the removal men, because he would have been the Prime Minister who

lost the union. Instead, it went far better for the no campaign than many

of them thought. And instead, it is the leader of the yes campaign, Alex

Salmond, tonight saying he is going to stand down. David Cameron came

out of this building at seven o'clock and gave a lengthy detailed

and quite comprehensive statement about how he wants to take

constitutional reform forward, more powers for Scotland but also more

powers for Wales and Northern Ireland, and crucially for England.

He also said he wants to link those, link them to reducing the power of

Scottish MPs, to address the so-called West Lothian question.

Tonight in Downing Street, they are perhaps sleeping a lot more soundly

than last night. Thank you, David. As we have seen over the last few

weeks, Scots have been engaged in this referendum debate in a way

seldom seen before. We have heard from politicians and campaigners,

but now a report on how the people of Scotland have reacted to the

result and the First Minister's resignation. Such was the passion in

this campaign, today was always going to be painful for the side

that lost. I cannot believe so many people voted against our country

being a country. Control of our own affairs, it was on a plate for us,

we should have had it. For many no supporters, it was an end to weeks

of anxiety. Obviously, hoping that we would win. It is more of a relief

situation, rather than, oh, dear, what is going to happen from now on?

In a city which voted yes, George Square in Glasgow was a rallying

point for supporters of independence. This morning, the

result was too much for some to bear. Decisions which were meant for

Scotland, to be made in Scotland... I am really disappointed, I

genuinely thought it would be a yes. Because it is a no, I hope that we

get more powers, and I hope that stuff happens. Then came the news

this afternoon that Alex Salmond was to resign. Really deeply saddened. I

knew it was going to happen, but for it to happen so quickly, just like

that, I am really, really ashamed that Scotland has pushed him to

that. Absolutely devastated. I love that man. He has retired once and

come back to help Scotland out, and I think he has maybe gone as far as

he can at the moment. He achieved far more than anybody expected. The

fact that Glasgow won... It has been a tough 12 hours for yes supporters,

but there is a feeling that something has been gained. The

winner is social democracy, no question about it. It is the

politics of the people, as opposed to the politics of the

parliamentarians. I think the political establishment of

Westminster has really come under severe scrutiny. In the end, the

silent majority made their voice heard, and this was their time to

celebrate. I think the right decision was made, and I think

Britain will never be the same again. I think we need to doff our

hats to Alex Salmond for transforming Britain for the better.

Today has brought a sense of relief for no voters, but the yes campaign

has lost a leader, and has been left wondering where this decision will

take them now. News is coming into us of some scuffles in George Square

in Glasgow. We have this report which has just come in come in. I

would say that for most of the day, it was fairly peaceful, occasionally

getting tense. About ten minutes ago, there was a change in

atmosphere, and you can see a lot more union flags having come out. I

would suggest there is a Loyalist element came into the square, a lot

of people started leaving. A short time ago, flares were fired, the

union flags over there, they charged right into the crowd. It got a bit

nasty for a while. Running scuffles. The police have now moved in and

separated the crowd. Definite change in atmosphere. As I say, it was a

very specific change in atmosphere. It happened very, very quickly.

There was a lot of cheering of rule Britannia, and then the flares went

off, and vehicles came in, and I would say these loyalist elements

came in from both sides of the square. We got a sense that it was

almost quite well planned. Most of the day, there had been the elements

of the yes campaign had been parked down here. But as I say, it happened

very, very quickly, a big change in atmosphere. But the police seem to

have separated both groups, and there seems to be an element of calm

now. I enjoy and now by the leader of the Scottish Labour Party, Johann

Lamont, and also by Ruth Davidson. We do not want to see those scenes?

Absolutely not. Right through this process, we have hoped that we could

have an open and honest conversation amongst Scots. It was a decision for

Scots, and we have come to it. But that feels more like a football

crowd gone wrong than anything else. I just hope that they can

restore order as soon as possible. There is no need for that, we have

had the biggest, broadest conversation in Scotland's political

history. We had a record turnout, the people of Scotland have had a

chance to have their say. We do not want seems like that on our streets.

Alex Salmond - did he have to go? I do not think he had to go. I was

surprised when I heard it, and then it kind of made sense. If he was

going to go, maybe this was a logical time. He has been driving

all through his life to the point where they was a referendum. Instead

of Scotland historically having been put into this union, has now

democratically affirmed that it wants to stay as part of a United

Kingdom. That feels like a pause in the Scottish story and you can

understand why he has decided to step back. I cannot imagine what it

is like to be First Minister, but it must be immense personal pressure on

him, and this seems a sensible time. You criticised the tone of his

speech when he was conceding defeat this morning. You said you should be

proud of his career and not allow the manner of its ending to dominate

his feeling. I felt, and I could almost forgive him, at a point where

he had got to the point where it was on the ballot paper, and so many

people had been involved, I felt there was something in the way that

he spoke that did not recognise the need for everybody to come

together, both sides. We all love Scotland and we want the best for

Scotland. I felt that he stepped back and spoke to his own people

about the journey for independence. But I think the journey for us in

the next period is to say, how do we find the things that we can agree on

in that Scottish Parliament, can we have the conversation about how we

use the powers we have got to make a difference to people's lives? I

think that was what drove a lot of the thinking and the conversation

over the last period. As he went he was accusing the unionist parties of

going back on the promise for more powers for Holyrood? I think he was

slightly mistaken in that. We published quite upfront what this

plan was, that was signed up. This date of March is not in that. You

can go back into your inbox, I am sure you got one as part of the

media. It was a very, very clear timetable. There would be

legislation on the books, no matter who came in as government in May of

next year. There would be legislation on the books, ready to

go. That has been reaffirmed by the three Westminster party leaders

today. That process is going to happen. Both of you, thank you. We

can go to Nick Robinson now. Is there any sense where you are that

Westminster is rolling back a little? I do not think they are

rolling back. I think the Prime Minister has reiterated the

promises. What is happening is that the politics of England is now being

fed into the process. It may well clash with the politics of

Scotland. Tory MPs in England are now saying, if the Barnett funding

formula is to be maintained, actually, we are not happy about

that. We do not think that money should go. If Scotland is to have

more powers for its parliament, we want more powers either for an

English parliament, or some other way of making sure that English

votes make English laws at Westminster. It does not necessarily

mean there is any intention to a band in the promises, but remember,

they have to get it through the Westminster parliament. There are

people there who did not sign up to this agreement, do not care about

the vow which was made on the front page of the Record, and they will

fight for their constituents, just as people in Scotland will fight for

their own. We can go to the First Minister's constituency now. Our

reporter is there. Alex Salmond has been MSP for

Aberdeenshire East since 2007. He has represented the Aberdeenshire

area since 1987 in Holyrood and

Westminster. He is standing down as SNP leader but staying on as MSP for

this area. A short time ago, I spoke to some of his constituents here in

Inverurie. I feel very sad to hear that. He has worked so tirelessly in

the campaign for independence and I had my him for that. I am sure

Nicola Sturgeon will step into his shoes, and again, an excellent

leader. I said to my wife, I thought he would perhaps resign in another

year's time. Very surprised. He has done a lot for Scotland, no question

about it. I am joined now by a friend and

colleague of Alex Salmond. Are you surprised? I think Alec always makes

decisions quickly. He is a great team builder and team player, and he

will be looking at what the decision which the people of Scotland have

made in huge numbers means for Scotland. And he will put that at

the forefront of the decision he has made. A lot of success since he took

over first as leader in the 1990s, but ultimately, failure wanted she

has fallen short of the objective he set himself, but he has achieved an

enormous amount of. 3.6 million people have voted for change. Both

the no campaign and the yes campaign represent change. That is almost

inconceivable, even a couple of months ago, it would not have been

thought that Alex Salmond would have got us there. But his capability of

drawing people in, building teams, has meant that he has delivered a

huge result for Scotland. Malcolm Bruce, you are the MP for Inverurie,

he was a particularly effective person to fight against? He took the

seat of us, yes. He became First Minister, and he secured a

referendum. But he has not taken his constituents with him, they voted

2-1 against everything he stood for, and I think that is a reason why he

had to go. I am not denying his success, but the problem is, he came

here as First Minister and never worked the seat, and I do not think

he connected with the constituents. He offered them a prospectus on

independence, which I believe was irresponsible, and they have

rejected that by 2-1. Both of you, thank you. The view from Alex

Salmond's Aberdeenshire East constituency tonight.

Independence may be off the agenda for years to come,

but the way Scotland is governed is bound to change.

Ahead of the referendum, the Better Together campaign said

a no vote would mean fresh powers for Holyrood.

And the SNP say they'll press them hard to deliver on that commitment.

Our correspondent David Henderson can tell us more.

Before voters went into the polling stations, it was

made clear to them that even if they voted no, there would still be more

So last night's decision fires the starting gun for what's bound

to be an intense debate on what those new powers will be.

By November, plans will be published setting out what's on offer.

By January next year, they should be draft legislation ready

But with a general election due in May next year, these proposals won't

have the force of law until they're approved by a new batch of MPs.

The man appointed to oversee the process is Lord Smith of Kelvin.

When David Cameron spoke to me last week, I said, are your people

sincere across the UK are little part is about doing something here?

He said yes. I am taking that at face value. The Scottish Parliament

has already been given new powers to control speed limits and

drink-driving. In April 2016, the Scottish

government will also be able to borrow up to ?5 billion

and vary income tax Holyrood has become more powerful

over time. But those powers have come step-by-step, not in one great

leap. And the UK's rival parties have rival visions of what they want

it to do. Labour wants to give this Parliament the power to vary income

tax by 15p in the pound, but they are set to veto any plans which

would prevent funds being redistributed around the UK.

Anything that stops the justification for the needs -based

payments to Scotland through the block, that would be resisted.

Anything that suggests national insurance should come to Scotland,

or all income tax comes to Scotland, because Labour wants to keep the

different risks. The Conservatives want to end the Treasury's control

over income tax rates and tax bands. They would make Holyrood accountable

for 40% of the money it spends. But some think that should come at a

price. What you can't do, I think, is come up with a solution that has

loads of Scottish MPs hanging around still nominally representing

Scotland, but unable really to vote on any matters that affect Scotland,

but only on things that affect England, which is not their area of

representation. The Liberal Democrats want to see a new dawn for

British politics, giving Scotland power over income tax, inheritance

and capital gains tax. They have also touted scrapping the act of

union between Scotland and England in favour of a federal structure.

But the SNP remains sceptical. The crucial point that comes out of the

referendum is those powers must be delivered because they were solemnly

offered in a swift and quick timescale, a reliable timescale, by

the UK parties. That has to be fulfilled. So, lots of expectation

and pressure to deliver a deal. The main UK parties say they already

have broad areas of agreement about what additional powers will come to

Holyrood. It's clear, though, that some tough horse trading lies ahead

and the exact plan remains unclear. And this whole issue will not be

settled until next year at the earliest.

I am joined by Professor John Curtice from Strathclyde University.

What impact do you think Alex Salmond's resignation will have on

the negotiations? It has made it more complicated. A crucial decision

the SNP now needs to take, having lost the referendum, is does it or

does it not get involved in the talks about more devolution? They

are meant to be over by the end of November. The difficulty now added

to this is that now the SNP will be involved in a leadership election

for most of that period, a leadership election in which what

stance the party should take towards more devolution now it has lost the

referendum could well be a subject of dispute and difference between

the prospective candidates. Given that backdrop, I am not entirely

clear that the SNP are either themselves going to be in a position

to meet the rapid proposed timetable for coming to some agreement about

more devolution within the time frame the Prime Minister reiterated

this morning. So things are getting even more complicated. Thank you.

Let's go back to normal service for a little while, and find out what

the weather has in store on this dramatic day, hopefully it is calm.

A cooler and fresher feel for most of us, but at least some brightness

on the cards, which is more than most of us had today. A lot of cloud

and outbreaks of patchy rain, which will continue this evening. This

area of rain is sinking south and eastwards across the country, never

amounting to much. Behind it, clearer skies filtering into the

north-west, allowing it to become Chile in the Glens, six or seven

Celsius, more typically 11-13 further south. Quite misty and murky

towards the East Coast. In the weekend, a weak cold front that has

been bringing the outbreaks of rain. It takes its time to clear

south-east Scotland, but high pressure is building in from the

west and with it a fresher feel to things. Tomorrow, still some

outbreaks of rain in Fife and parts of the Central Belt, the Lothians

and the Borders. Across the northern half of the country, a dry and

bright start with some early morning sunshine. Come the afternoon, a bit

of a reversal. Central and southern parts will see the cloud thinning

and breaking to allow sunshine. Further north, the cloud will

increase with outbreaks of showery rain. We will finally cleared Mr

Ness and murkiness which has been plaguing the east coast, but a brisk

north-westerly wind over the Northern Ireland is tomorrow. -- the

Northern Isles tomorrow. Strong north-westerly winds. In the north,

starting bright, clouding over with patchy rain for the afternoon.

Across central and southern ranges, you will start cloudy with patchy

rain and it improves for the afternoon. Quite a cold feel with

the brisk winds. The afternoon and evening will end with some late

sunshine, but still showers coming in from the north-west. Sunday, high

pressure really starts to establish itself across Scotland. So it will

settle us down and we will see decent sunshine, a lot of dry

weather but still a fresh feel, quite a crisp day. Some good spells

of sunshine, especially for western, central and southern Scotland. A bit

more cloud the further north you go, but temperatures or most of us in

the mid-to-high teens, a bit cooler around the northern coasts. Monday,

a bit of a change as a weather front comes into the Northwest, bringing

rain to the northern and western islands, but on the whole still a

lot of dry and bright weather. A cooler feel for the weekend, with

some brightness around. Earlier, we saw some scuffles in George Square.

Let's get an update from Cameron. What is the situation? Still very

tense. We have had to pull out, there was definitely a feeling that

we were being targeted at one point. Not pleasant in there. Both sides

throwing things, smoke bombs and flares at one point. A few scuffles,

the police trying to keep people apart. Helicopters overhead. One

side singing, Flower of Scotland, the other singing rule Britannia,

but still very tense here. Let's go back to the events of last night.

The independence campaign managed to win over 1.6 million votes. But just

four of the 32 local authority areas, Glasgow, Dundee, West

Dunbartonshire and North Lanarkshire. What is the rest of

Scotland making of the relatively comfortable victory for Better

Together? On the banks of the River Tay, Angela. What is the reaction?

-- Andrew. Tonight over in Dundee, on the streets and houses, in the

bars and cafes, much of the talk will be about the outcome of this

referendum. Independence campaigners dubbed Dundee Yes Cap max it it, and

Dundee delivered with a majority of 13,000. -- Yes City. The success of

the SNP in recent years in encroaching into a traditional

Labour heartland had foreshadowed that result. Despite that, Dundee

won't be seeing independence because most people in Scotland say they

don't want it. So in the streets in there today I met people who were

disappointed, depressed, even dejected, but the yes campaign in

Dundee are unbowed. They say the referendum has brought together

various political groupings. They claim that has created real momentum

for change. We have been working together with one aim in mind. We

may not agree with each other on individual policies, but we are all

working on the best for Scotland. We work together to make Dundee a

resounding vote for yes and we are proud of our city. There may be

frustration and disappointment but we are proud of what we have

achieved in Dundee, and we are delighted Glasgow came the same way.

That is how it's looking in Dundee. What about other parts of Scotland?

Our reporters have been in Dumfries, Orkney and Inverness. The Inverness

statue of Flora MacDonald gazes westwards, wondering what happened

to the yes vote in the Highlands when their campaign had seemed so

vocal, so well organised. As one Better Together campaigner put it to

me, it was finally the no vote turning out, having been reluctant,

fearful even, during the campaign of mailing their colours to the mast. I

was hoping it would just be the quiet people that kept themselves to

themselves and then went and did the deed. Yes, absolutely delighted. On

Orkney, there was a clear vote to remain within the union. It was the

highest percentage in favour of no anywhere in Scotland, just over 67%.

Even here, though, there is a difference of opinion over last

night's result and a willingness to look towards the future. I was

really getting worried, I thought, oh my gosh, is it going to go yes?

Personally very disappointed that the yes campaign didn't win, because

in many ways we had the most positive arguments. But if there is

something to look forward to, it's that all parties seem to agree that

we need to reform the political system, and I think we have to make

sure the politicians do that meaningfully. Re-conciliation is the

most important thing. I do fear that it may have created a rift and it

needs to be healed. Along with the Scottish Borders, Dumfries and

Galloway the lid of the most emphatic rejection of independence,

a 2-1 vote against. -- delivered the most emphatic rejection. A higher

than average proportion of English born voters and elderly voters, and

of course the cap back border influence. The vote means Scotland

and England will remain united, but what about divisions on the ground?

And in the future? We need a period of reflection. And I think we need

to learn much more from the Westminster government about what is

on the table in terms of devolution. It's going to be a wake-up call to

the Westminster government to help not only Scotland, which they

promised to do years ago and have never quite delivered, but to help

northern England and Wales and Northern Ireland. I am particularly

delighted because there have been promised is from the Westminster

government to improve what we have got at the moment. -- there have

been promises. That has gone a long way to increase the majority. All

the promises they have made us, we will have to wait and see, but I

feel down today. Yet Scotland knew they were underdogs in the south and

won't have been surprised to lose the vote here. -- Yes Scotland. But

given the social media campaign, the size of the defeat will hurt.

The thing I found fascinating to be wandering around Dundee city

centre, what was already beginning to bring yes and no voters together,

that was the prospect of further powers, more powers for the Scottish

parliament. The yes and no voters I spoke to agree that was necessary

and should happen, and it's that next stage in this debate that they

are going to be watching very closely over the coming weeks and

months. It was the Kingdom of Fife that

finally pushed the no vote over the finishing line in the small hours.

Alison Morgan reports. It is not the first time Fife has

played a significant role in Scotland's political history. This

was where Alex Salmond got his majority in 2011. In 2014, it was

where Scotland said no. It has got everything from agriculture,

high-tech, traditional mining areas. It is so different to other areas.

It is Scotland in miniature. So, how did this microcosm of Scotland view

the no result? I was completely taken aback that there has been a no

vote here. Absolutely devastated, really. I was a no vote myself. And

I have got a 4 -year-old son. It is not of about our generation, it is

about the younger ones. I am not very happy about it, to be honest.

Kirkcaldy is known as the birthplace of the economist Adam Smith, but how

influential was another economist and local boy, the former Prime

Minister Gordon Brown, in making sure of the no vote here in Fife? At

last, the world is hearing the voices of the real people of

Scotland. The silent majority will be silent no more. He does have a

lot of support, and I think he may be swung it at the last minute for

the no campaign. A big influence, I think, yes. I do not know if he was

the most popular Prime Minister, but he is local and he seemed to come

across well, passionate. But there are other opinions on why people

here in Fife voted the way they did. People were getting confused on what

they were voting for. They were not voting for SNP, that is where we got

lost. I think it has been money, mostly. I think people have been

frightened about pensions and this and that. It is such a brave

decision to be made, and I do not think the promises were good enough.

It could have just been the last-minute jitters, they could not

go for the big change, the uncertainty. One thing IS certain -

the waiting for the outcome of the referendum is over.

But a different story in Scotland's biggest city, Glasgow.

The people there backed independence.

194,000 of them saying yes, with a turnout of 75%.

Glasgow is a Scottish city like no other. Heavy traditional industry

welding home-workers together in solidarity. This historically shaped

politics. It is true Labour heartland. Once upon a time... Yes,

194,000. Now, Glasgow is a city for independence. You cannot guarantee

that Glasgow will do what every other place in Scotland does. But in

recent years Lascelles has had a declining vote for the Labour Party.

The city council seems to be bucking that trend. The independence

movement has had some success in Glasgow over the years, but never

prolonged. Margo MacDonald, and John Mason, 35 years later, both lost

their SNP seats at the next election. Today's result marks a

significant change, according to some. Scotland's biggest city wants

change, that is what we take from this. We want to attack poverty and

low pay. I am proud of everyone who voted for independence, particularly

Glasgow. The Labour Party had better open its ears, because it is

finished in Glasgow. Those who have held power in Glasgow for Labour say

the city will not only return to the party, but shape its rise back into

power. I expect Glaswegians to give the Labour Party a bloody nose, and

they did. I would expect them now to lead the Labour revival. I would

expect them to start working for that socially just society, and they

will do that by returning Labour at the next general election. The site

of heavy industry, now standing as a tourist attraction, perhaps best

illustrates the huge change which is consuming Glasgow for the last three

or four decades. What remains to be seen is whether these latest results

will usher in a new type of politics across the city.

So how does Scotland come together after a long and robust debate?

Services are planned over the weekend to bring

One of those involves the Moderator of the General Assembly

The Right Reverend John Chalmers joins me now.

Do you really think such services are necessary? Well, I think they

are going to help. I am really pleased that today began with

restraint, both of the First Minister and Alistair Darling I

think set the right tone. And I think that we can help on Sunday

when we have all of the party leaders together, committing to some

unity of purpose for Scotland going forward. I asked the question, do we

really need it, but we have seen footage tonight of unrest in the

centre of our biggest city... As you know, there has been at the fringe

of the campaign some unrest, and I think it was perhaps predictable

that there might be, on the fringe, some unrest today. But as I said

already, we began the day with restraint and I hope we can end it

with restraint. I think the right note has been set between those who

have won and those who feel they have lost, and I think we can start

to repair the damage even further this weekend. And the impact of the

Queen's words? I think she has demonstrated a confidence in the

Scottish people to be able to set aside their differences. Yesterday,

they were on opposite sides of the same coin. Today, they are the same

coin. We can heal, and we can move forward together. That is my great

hope and prayer. Moderator, thank you for coming along tonight.

The major news this afternoon is that Alex Salmond has resigned as

First Minister. His career spanned more than 40 years. He was a member

of the Federation of student nationalists at St Andrews

University, going right up to the present day. This report from Andrew

Kerr. This young lad from Linlithgow

became a young man with a plan. Alexander Elliot Anderson Salmond

signed up to the Scottish National A student with a keen sense

of Scottish history, he became a man with a key role

in Scotland's modern story. A rising star in the party, he ended

up being expelled for being part of In 1987, he was on his way to

Westminster. In 1988, Nigel Lawson's

budget was interrupted. I beg to move that Mr Salmond be

suspended from the service The stunt paved the way

for a successful leadership bid Years of managing the party

through opposition then followed. Scottish politics came to the fore

at Westminster, with a devolution referendum in 1997. Political rivals

joined sides, and it was a good result for Alex Salmond, a prophetic

meant for Westminster. They had better sit up and take notice,

something is changing in Scotland. Two years later, he led the SNP into

the first Scottish elections. The voters did not buy a penny for

Scotland. Disappointment for the SNP.

After a lacklustre time, the leader stepped down in 2000.

I really, I can't begin to explain how much I enjoy this aspect,

The men in grey kilts, a popular phrase at the time,

In an Aberdeen hotel in July 2004, Mr Salmond announced he was

Today, I am launching my candidacy to be the First Minister of

Scotland. He had an inkling that Labour were

in decline, that there would be Fast forward to May 2007,

and a win by one seat. Mr Salmond addressed

the delighted party faithful. The trials and tribulations of being

in power then followed. The release of the Lockerbie bomber caused

international outrage. On the domestic front,

the national conversation sowed Scotland liked what it saw in the

main and gave the SNP another chance The crowning glory, at the time,

for the master strategist. This is not just a victory for a

single political party, I believe it is a victory for a society, a people

and a nation. A majority government meant

a referendum. The Edinburgh agreement

in autumn 2012 sealed the deal. London and Edinburgh would abide

by the result. The very substantial gain that

Scotland now has is that we have an agreed process to hold this

referendum. I am honoured to announce that on Thursday the 18th

of September 2014, we will hold Scotland's referendum, a historic

day, when the people will decide Scotland's future.

A dream come true or too much too soon?

Now with the authority of the Scottish government behind him, he

This referendum is about the future of Scotland, and the future of

Scotland should be in the hands of the people of Scotland. That young

man with a plan set a date of destiny for the people of Scotland.

It was not to be. Now, he says his time is nearly over. But the

campaign continues. He says he hopes that youthful dream will never die.

Did he have to go now? Some of his friends and colleagues tried to

persuade him to stay. I think firstly he has a personal feeling

that he has done the job for rather a long time, 20 years as leader, in

two stints of the longest serving First Minister, not a bad shift, as

he says himself, at the coal face. Secondly, there is a pragmatic

consideration, which is that yes, this was an amazing exercise in

democracy, but the sheer numbers tell you that the independence cause

lost, it lost the day. So Mr Salmond is associated with a defeat, and

perhaps tactically, he believes it is better to have another person

stepped in, and that person will be Nicola Sturgeon, thereby advancing

the cause of independence. He has been described today as one of, or

the best, politician of his generation, he was a formidable

campaigner? Was and is. An exceptionally able individual. I

have known him for rather a long time, we were at university

together. That person of him at university is quite hideous, given

that he is exactly nine days older than me. He was always a committed

and dedicated politician, from those university days, right up to today.

Is it that certain that the successor will be Nicola Sturgeon?

The bookies have certainly installed her as the clear favourite. I think

those in the party who may consider standing against her will know that

that is the case, and if they do, I do not fancy their chances in a

leadership contest. Nicola Sturgeon has a hard act to follow, I think

formidable is the right word for Alex Salmond, feared and admired in

equal measure. It will be for his successor to try and make the most

out of the settlement. It now seems that the country is somewhat divided

on its future. The First Minister is stepping down. We are told more

powers will come to the Scottish Parliament. The Queen says the

result will be the spectator throughout the United Kingdom. From

all of us on Reporting Scotland, after an extraordinary day, I hope

you have enjoyed our coverage, for now, goodbye. I believe that this is

a new, exciting situation, which is redolent with possibility. But in

that situation, I think the party, Parliament and country would benefit

from new leadership. # You promised me something to

believe in.