“Self determination, control of our own affairs — it was on a plate for us. We should have had it.”
— Oil engineer Bryan McDermaid
xxx
“Gutted. I think Scotland has thrown away a real opportunity here. I can’t believe 55% of Scotland voted against our country being a country.”
— Edinburgh engineer Alasdair Maciver
xxx
“We got a chance to vote. So that’s what I’m proud of, I’m proud that I voted yes.”
— Oban nurse Lindsay Burgar
“The status quo has been thoroughly smashed.”
— Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson
xxx
“Business as usual.”
— Post-referendum statements from both the Royal Bank of Scotland and Clydesdale Bank used the same words
xxx
“Bosses, bankers, billionaires and millionaires unite with Labour MPs, Tories, UKIP and the UK establishment to celebrate Project Fear.”
— Socialist Tommy Sheridan
xxx
“It’s a disappointing result but it sets the stage for going forward. As long as there are flaws, there will be calls for independence. You can’t put the genie back in the bottle once it’s out.”
— University student Calum Martin
xxx
“I love Scotland but I hate the way nationalists think they own the place. I don’t like nationalism. I think history proves it to be an incredibly dangerous thing.”
–Comedian Billy Connolly
“Scotland has by a majority decided not, at this stage, to become an independent country. I accept that verdict of the people and I call on all of Scotland to follow suit in accepting the democratic verdict of the people of Scotland.”
— Scotland’s separatist First Minister Alex Salmond
xxx
“The people of Scotland have spoken. It is a clear result. They have kept our country of four nations together. Like millions of other people, I am delighted. As I said during the campaign, it would have broken my heart to see our United Kingdom come to an end.”
— Britain’s unionist Prime Minister David Cameron
xxx
“There can be no disputes, no re-runs, we have heard the settled will of the Scottish people.”
— David Cameron
“So now it is time for our United Kingdom to come together, and to move forward. A vital part of that will be a balanced settlement — fair to people in Scotland and importantly to everyone in England, Wales and Northern Ireland as well.”
— David Cameron
xxx
“It is absolutely right that a new and fair settlement for Scotland should be accompanied by a new and fair settlement that applies to all parts of the United Kingdom, … All this must take place, in tandem with and at the same pace as the settlement for Scotland.”
— David Cameron
“The unionist parties made vows late in the campaign to devolve more powers to Scotland. Scotland will expect these to be honoured in rapid course.”
— Alex Salmond
xxx
“Let us not dwell on the distance we have fallen short. Let us dwell on the distance we have travelled and have confidence that the movement will take this nation forward as one nation.”
— Alex Salmond
xxx
“We can get on with being one Scotland together.”
— Museum worker Lesley Bryce
And, in the end, what may be an ominous prophesy from PM David Cameron:
“We have heard the voice of Scotland — and now the millions of voices of England must also be heard.”
