"The manifesto that the SNP was elected on last month said this: 'The Scottish Parliament should have the right to hold another referendum if there is a significant and material change in the circumstances that prevailed in 2014, such as Scotland being taken out of the European Union against our will'.

"Scotland does now face that prospect.

"It is a significant and material change in circumstances and it is therefore a statement of the obvious that the option of a second referendum must be on the table, and it is on the table."

The first minister said in a statement that ministers would now begin the legal process of preparing a second referendum on Scottish independence.

"We will begin to prepare the legislation that would be required in order for a new independence referendum to take place if and when parliament so decides."

Eilidh Wiseman, president of the Law Society of Scotland, said: “While we cannot predict the full economic effects of the vote to leave on business decisions of law firms or those of their clients, it’s important to understand that the UK remains a full member of the EU until the terms of our withdrawal agreement are negotiated. 

"There will be no immediate change to the current legal position so solicitors’ day to day practice and the advice they provide for clients won’t yet be affected."

Image source, bb

After the UK Leave result became clear this morning, the #indyref2 hashtag, external quickly became one of the top trending topics on Twitter. 

The conversation was driven by pro-independence supporters, but many former "Better Together" campaigners have also voiced the possibility of another Scottish independence vote following the EU result. BBC Trending investigates here.

Image source, Reuters

David Watt, Executive Director of the Institute of Directors in Scotland, said: “It is now crucial that the transition out of Europe is handled as smoothly as possible, and that stability is maintained in the meantime.  

"What business leaders need is a combination of calm and clarity, which will assist them in getting on with business during the weeks and months to come, alongside establishing a new basis for relationships with our international partners." 

“It is important to remember that Scottish businesses are robust.  We have weathered uncertainty and change before, and we will do it again."

Image source, Thinkstock

Listen live here.

Speaking from The Highland Show, NFU Scotland’s President Allan Bowie said: “Farming and crofting are at the core of rural Scotland and the rural economy and our focus will very firmly be on ensuring that the negotiated exit from Europe and the Common Agricultural Policy and the domestic arrangements that are to replace them will see a profitable and competitive industry in Scotland.

“The vote for the UK to leave the European Union brings few certainties as to what will happen in the weeks and months ahead but an intense period of negotiation will begin and a negotiated exit from the EU is expected to take a minimum of two years."

Image source, PA

The Scottish Conservative leader paid tribute to the prime minister after he announced his intention to stand down in the wake of the EU referendum vote.

She said: "David Cameron served the office of  Prime Minister honourably at all times.

"He restored the UK economy from the depths of the financial crisis, he pushed ahead with a series of necessary social reforms, and, in Scotland, delivered on devolution.

"I am proud to have served alongside him and, earlier this morning, thanked him for his service on behalf of the party in Scotland.

“His decision to remain in post over the short term is the right one, and will help ensure greater stability in the days ahead. It is right that he has already spoken to Nicola Sturgeon to ensure the Scottish Government is involved in the negotiations that will follow.

"Our two Governments need to work together for the benefit of all people in Scotland, and they will. All of us need to take stock of this decision, and put the stability of our country first.”

People in the Glasgow have been giving their views on whether the vote for Brexit could or should trigger a second referendum on Scottish independence.

Glasgow voted two to one (67%) to remain in the European Union, although electoral turnout was relatively low.

The Courier is just one of the papers marking this morning's referendum with a special edition.

We've been taking a look at what the front pages have to say.

The Conservative MP insisted that now was not the time for a second referendum on Scottish independence.

He said the UK needed to remain united to ensure the best outcome following the Brexit vote.

Image source, PA

Donald Trump has given his reaction to the UK vote for Brexit, describing it as "a good thing".

The US presidential nominee had spoken previously of his favour for a Leave vote.

Arriving in Ayrshire to officially open the Trump Turnberry golf resort, Mr Trump told BBC News that the result was "a fantastic thing".

Presidential hopeful Donald Trump said it is a "great thing" that the people of the UK have "taken back their country" in voting to leave the EU, as he touched down at his golf resort in Scotland.

Image source, AP

The billionaire arrived in his "Trump" emblazoned helicopter at the Turnberry resort in South Ayrshire to officially open the revamped resort he bought in 2014, just an hour after Prime Minister David Cameron said he intended to stand down in October.

He gave a thumbs-up as he left his helicopter and shook hands with workers on his way to the hotel before making the comments about the EU referendum result.

He told the waiting crowd that Brits were "angry about borders".

Mr Trump, who is expected to represent Republicans in the US presidential election, says British people backing Brexit "took back control of their country".

BBC Radio Scotland

Speaking to BBC Radio Scotland, David Mundell MP, who campaigned for Remain, said the UK was in "unchartered territory".