After more than 300 years as part of the United Kingdom, would Scotland secede?

For most of the two years of campaigning, the answer seemed to be no. But in the final weeks, the pro-independence side drew level.

The utopian dream of independence, which has shimmered on the horizon of Scottish consciousness, like a fata morgana in the desert ever since forces loyal to Bonnie Prince Charlie were crushed on the fields of Culloden in 1746, looked as if it might become reality.

It wasn't to be. Worried by more down-to-earth concerns, like pensions and the currency in their pockets, Scots voted decisively