Alistair Darling, leader of the Better Together campaign, said Scotland has chosen ''unity over division'' in rejecting independence from the United Kingdom.

With 31 out of the country's 32 council areas having declared after Thursday's vote, the 'No' side has an unassailable lead of 1,914,187 votes to 1,539,920.

Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond said he accepted the result and called for unity.

Alistair Darling said the vote had ''reaffirmed all that we have in common, and the bonds that tie us together''.