DHAKA: Those in favour of staying with the UK are ahead in the vote count in Scotland's independence referendum, opening up a steady lead over the Yes campaigners.

Clackmannanshire was the first region to declare results with the No campaign securing 54 percent against 46 percent for the Yes side, reports Al-Jazeera.

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Orkney and Shetland also favoured the No campaign. Dundee City and Dunbartonshire voted Yes.

Al Jazeera's Laurence Lee, reporting from Edinburgh, said the early results matched almost exactly the exit poll figure.

“We can see where the wind is blowing.  There are more polls coming but the early indication shows it’s a ‘No’ night"

Thursday's epic independence referendum will determine whether Scotland would end its 307-year-old union with England and become an independent nation or stay within the United Kingdom - a decision which could have consequences outside Britain.

Before voting ended at 21:00 GMT on Thursday, polling stations across the country reported a high voter turnout - some as high as 90 percent.

Most opinion polls and experts said ahead of the referendum that it was a vote too tight to predict.

Electoral officials said the result was expected by breakfast time on Friday morning. 

The campaign has fired up many Scots who have previously taken little interest in politics. About 97 percent of eligible Scots had registered to vote.

"This is the first time I've felt that my vote can actually make a major difference, not just a bit of political shifting but actual substantial change," one female voter told Al Jazeera.

The question for voters was "Should Scotland be an independent country?" and they were asked to mark either "Yes" or "No".

** Scottish voters answer referendum question

BDST: 0958 HRS, SEP 19, 2014