Our Politics newsletter is now daily. Join thousands of others and get the latest Scottish politics news sent straight to your inbox. Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

THE odds of an independent Scotland went into reverse today with leading bookmakers Ladbrokes after it emerged the SNP had lost their majority at Holyrood.

The shock no-overall majority outcome, which had been available at 8/1 with the bookies, led to the price of a vote for independence before 2020 taking a big hit, out from 4/1 to 10/1.

On a night of constituency shocks, the biggest winner was Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson , who had been available at 6/1 to win her Edinburgh Central seat.

Read More: Andy Philip – Surprises galore as Nicola is upstaged by Ruth while Kezia sinks like a stone

A clamour from punters to back her to be next UK Tory leader saw her odds cut from 50/1 into 33/1.

The Tories had been 5/4 outsiders to beat Labour into second place overall.

The four Liberal Democrat constituency wins also proved costly for the bookies, with shrewd backers having supported them at big prices to gain Edinburgh Western and North East Fife.

Matthew Shaddick of Ladbrokes said: "A pretty bad night for Labour in Scotland, but also a costly one for those backing an SNP majority and the chances of an independent Scotland any time soon."

Read More: SNP heading back to power at Holyrood but they have lost their majority