Scotland has voted to stay in the United Kingdom after rejecting independence in a historic vote on Thursday. Scottish people cast their ballots on whether or not to be an independent country for the first time since 1707, when it joined the United Kingdom. Several polls in the weeks before the vote showed a small lead for the pro-independence campaigners. However, on the day, there was a clear victory for those wishing to stay part of the UK, with 55% voting 'No' and 45% voting 'Yes'. The referendum was the culmination of two years of intense campaigning by the 'Yes' and 'No' teams. Scotland's Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon told the BBC the result was "a deep personal and political disappointment".