London: Queen Elizabeth has urged people in Britain to come together "in a spirit of mutual respect and support" after Scots voted against independence following a divisive and heated campaign. And Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond has resigned, saying the dream of independence "will never die".

The monarch, who is staying at her Scottish estate Balmoral, broke her official silence on a vote that had threatened to tear apart the 307-year-old union over which she reigns.

Queen Elizabeth leaves the Braemar Highland Gathering in Braemar, Scotland, this month. Credit:Reuters

"Knowing the people of Scotland as I do, I have no doubt that Scots, like others throughout the United Kingdom, are able to express strongly held opinions before coming together again in a spirit of mutual respect and support," she said in a statement issued by Buckingham Palace.

The 88-year-old acknowledged there were "strong feelings and contrasting emotions" after Thursday's vote, which ended in a clear defeat for the separatists.