Referendum Day: Long queues outside some polling stations

Voters at Scotland’s polling stations reported that some ballot boxes were already full when they arrived, while others spoke of long queues.
Queues formed outside some polling stationsQueues formed outside some polling stations
Queues formed outside some polling stations

“I’ve waited all my life for this,” said the first voter in Edinburgh’s Waverley Court, a businessman who gave only his first name, Ron. “It’s time to break with England. ‘Yes’ to independence.”

As he spoke, a couple of workers hurrying by in the morning mist and drizzle shouted “Vote No!”

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In Dunblane, the polling station car park overflowed, causing a traffic snarl-up through the town, while in Edinburgh’s Craigmillar, a piper led voters through the streets to the polling station.

Queues formed outside some polling stationsQueues formed outside some polling stations
Queues formed outside some polling stations

One church acting as a polling station - St Phillips and St James in the capital’s Inverleith district - included arrows on its sign to point people in the right direction: to either “vote” or “pray”.

In Glasgow, where George Square is host to ongoing Yes campaign rallies, there was a carnival-like atmosphere, with some people wearing blue-and-white face paint. A Scottie dog wearing a blue coat was also present.

A man running a financial services business and a hotel on the Isle of Skye had returned to the city, where he has his permanent home, to cast a ‘No’ vote. “I think it’s a great concept, but working in finance I can see the difficulties,” he said.

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In Falkirk, one campaigner took their place outside a polling station at 6.45 a.m. and had no plans to move before 10 p.m,

In Aberdeenshire, First Minister Alex Salmond took time to answer questions after casting his vote.