Better together or better apart? The question hung over Great Britain Thursday as Scots headed to the polls in a historical referendum that will decide if Scotland break ties with the United Kingdom and becomes independent for the first time in 307 years. While the official results won't be announced until Thursday evening at the earliest, some of the refendum's most vocal supporters and non-supporters have already voted.
Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond, a known advocate for the split, was photographed entering a polling station in Strichen, Scotland Thursday. In Edinburgh, Former Chancellor of the Exchequer and Better Together campaign leader Alistair Darling and his wife Maggie were also seen leaving the polls after participating in the historic referendum.
Voters will answer a simple “Yes” or “No” question when they cast their ballot: “Should Scotland be an independent country?” Some turnout projections are as high as 90 percent, which would be a record for any referendum in the U.K.
Voting got underway at 7 a.m. local time (2 a.m. EDT) and the polls close at 10 p.m. local time (5 p.m. EDT.)
Voters wait for the polling station to open to cast their vote in Portobello near Edinburgh, Scotland September 18, 2014. ReutersScotland's First Minister Alex Salmond poses before placing his vote in Strichen, Scotland September 18, 2014. ReutersFormer Chancellor of the Exchequer and leader of the Better Together campaign, Alistair Darling, walks with his wife Maggie outside the polling station at the Church Hill Theatre in Edinburgh, Scotland September 18, 2014.ReutersNo and Yes signs outside a polling station in the Scottish capital EdinburghReutersVoters enter a polling station to place their ballots during the referendum on Scottish independence in Pitlochry, Scotland September 18, 2014. ReutersScotland's First Minister Alex Salmond (C) arrives with two first time voters to place his vote in Strichen, Scotland September 18, 2014. ReutersScotland's First Minister Alex Salmond stands with school children outside a polling station during the referendum on Scottish independence in Strichen, Scotland September 18, 2014.ReutersPolice officers stand outside a polling station in Pitlochry, Scotland September 18, 2014. ReutersA "Yes" campaign supporter sits outside a polling station during the referendum on Scottish independence in Pitlochry, Scotland September 18, 2014. ReutersA man plays the bagpipes on a "short walk to freedom" march in Edinburgh, Scotland September 18, 2014. ReutersRyan Randall plays the bagpipes outside a polling station in Edinburgh, Scotland September 18, 2014. ReutersResidents take part in a "short walk to freedom" march in Edinburgh, Scotland September 18, 2014. ReutersA women wears "Yes" stickers on her face on a "short walk to freedom" march in Edinburgh, Scotland September 18, 2014. Reuters
