The leader of the secessionist Scottish National Party (SNP), Alex Salmond, cast his vote on Thursday morning (September 18) in a historic referendum which could see Scotland go it alone and decide the fate of the 307-year old union of the UK.

Salmond cast his vote in his hometown of Strichen, Aberdeenshire.

Salmond hauled the "Yes" campaign from far behind to within a few percentage points of winning his vision of an independent Scotland.

The independence movement says Scots should be able to choose their own leaders and make their own decisions rather than be ruled by Westminster.