Scottish Independence Referendum of 2014

Scotland voted 55.3 to 44.7 percent to remain in the United Kingdom on a record 84.6 percent turnout.

Overview

Held on September 18, 2014 under the Edinburgh Agreement between the Scottish and UK governments, the referendum asked whether Scotland should be an independent country. Sixteen and seventeen year olds were allowed to vote for the first time in a major British poll. A late surge for Yes prompted the main UK party leaders to pledge extensive new powers for the Scottish Parliament. No won by 55.3 to 44.7 percent, with turnout of 84.6 percent, the highest for any UK-wide election or referendum since the introduction of universal suffrage. First Minister Alex Salmond resigned, and the Smith Commission led to the Scotland Act 2016.