YouGov survey points to 'no' vote in Scottish referendum

Scotland is expected to vote ‘no’ in its referendum on independence from the UK, according to YouGov’s latest poll.

After polling stations closed at 10pm local time, YouGov announced its final prediction which showed 54% for a 'no' vote.

"Today’s responses indicate that there has been a small shift on the day from Yes to No, and also that No supporters were slightly more likely to turn out to vote," YouGov said in a statement on its website.

The polling group based its prediction on the responses of 1,828 people, together with those of 800 people who had already voted by post. They were recontacted after polling stations closed in order to assess any last-minute shift in views.

In one of Scotland’s busiest electoral days to date, 4,285,323 people, 97% of the electorate, were registered to vote at 5,579 polling stations which opened from 7am on Thursday and closed at 9pm.

The first set of results are expected at 2am on Friday from Moray, East Lothian, Inverclyde, North Lanarkshire, the Orkney Islands, the Western Isles, Perth and Kinross.

At 2:30am Clackmannanshire votes will be declared followed by results at 3am from Aberdeenshire, Angus, Dumfries and Galloway, Dundee, East Ayrshire, East Renfrewshire, Falkirk, Renfrewshire, South Lanarkshire, Stirling and West Dunbartonshire.

Shetland, Midlothian, South Ayreshire, West Lothian, Argyll and East Dunbartonshire will announce their votes at 3.30am. Half an hour later Fife and Highland will declare votes.

At 4.30am North Ayrshire will reveal its results.

The outcome from Scottish Borders, Edinburgh and Glasgow is expected at 5am.

The final declaration will come from Aberdeen at 6am.

Chief counting officer Mary Pitcaithly will declare the result of the referendum at the Royal Highland Centre outside Edinburgh.