Better Together leader Alistair Darling says: "Today is a momentous result for Scotland but also for the United kingdom as a whole."

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg will appear before the media in Edinburgh later this morning, but he's just said: "I'm absolutely delighted the Scottish people have taken this momentous decision to safeguard our family of nations for future generations. In a dangerous and uncertain world I have no doubt we are stronger, safer, and more prosperous together than we every could be apart."

Mr Clegg adds: "A vote against independence was clearly not a vote against change and we must now deliver on time and in full the radical package of newly devolved powers to Scotland."

He says the verdict marks not only a new chapter for Scotland within the UK but also wider constitutional reform across the Union.

Douglas Alexander, shadow foreign secretary and part the Better Together campaign, says: "I think there needs to start today a process of reconciliation. Our challenge is to bring our nation together and take our nation forward."

Laura Maxwell, BBC Scotland News

There have been tears from "Yes" campaigners at Ingliston. But one lady told me she was realistic before coming here this evening, and 45% of the vote was still a vote for change.

One senior figure from the Conservatives told me he had been at many counts in Ingliston, but rarely on the winning side - he said it was definitely less tiring being on this side of the vote.

John Curtice
Professor of politics at Strathclyde University

The variation in No support in different kind of councils is very much in line with some of the expectations in advance of the night about the kinds of places in which the No campaign would do relatively well.

Image source, Getty Images

The No vote was generally higher in places with a relatively high migrant population from the rest of the UK, in places with a relatively high middle-class population, in places where there are more older people and in the more rural half of Scotland. These patterns are illustrated by the following figures:

1 - the No vote has averaged 64% in those councils where more than 12% of the population was born in the rest of the UK and just 53% in those where less than 8% were born elsewhere in the UK

2 - the No vote averaged 60% where more than 30% of the population are professional and managerial but only 51% where less than 26% are in professional managerial occupations.

3 - the No vote was 61% on average in those places where more than 24% of the population were aged 65 and over but only 51% where less than 21% are over 65 and over

4 - the No vote at 60% was higher in the more rural half of Scotland than in the more urban half where it averaged just 53%.

We're hearing there will also be reaction from Better Together leader Alistair Darling within the hour.

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The local authorities will the highest proportion of Yes votes are:

Dundee 57%

West Dunbartonshire 54%

Glasgow 53%

North Lanarkshire 51%

Andrew Black
Political reporter, BBC Scotland

What happens now there's been a "No" vote?

James Landale
Deputy political editor

David Cameron's advisers say he will make a "significant statement" when he speaks shortly after 07:00.

Ian Rochester in Northumberland asks: 55% of the Scottish voting population have decided on retaining the "status quo" between Scotland and the rest on Great Britain, so why are people now saying that fundamental changes must now happen?

Laura Maxwell
BBC Scotland

Robbie MacNiven, 22, from Inverness and 21-year-old Solvein Siem from Norway celebrate the No vote at Ingliston.

Alistair Darling, leader of the Better Together campaign tweets, external: An extraordinary night. Humbled by the level of support and the efforts of our volunteers. Will give speech in Glasgow shortly. #indyref

Cameron tweet

David Cameron tweets, external: I'll be making a statement following the Scottish Referendum results just after 7am. #indyref

Mr Salmond ended his speech by saying: "We shall go forward as one nation."

"Whatever else we can say about this referendum campaign, we have touched sections of the community who have never before been touched by politics, these sections of the community have touched us and touched the political process. I don't think that will ever be allowed to go back to business as usual in politics again."

Mr Salmond added: "I think the process by which we have made our decision as a nation reflects enormous credit upon Scotland. A turnout of 86% is one of the highest of the democratic world, in any election or any referendum in history."

Mr Salmond said he "accepted the verdict of the people and called on Scotland to accept the democratic verdict of the people of Scotland".

"I call on all of Scotland to follow suit in accepting the democratic will of the people of Scotland," he adds.

Alistair Darling tweets, external: An extraordinary night. Humbled by the level of support and the efforts of our volunteers. Will give speech in Glasgow shortly. #indyref

Alex Salmond says he now knows there will be a majority for the No campaigners.

"Our referendum was an agreed and consented process. Scotland has decided No at this stage to become and independent country and I accept that verdict."