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As polls close in Scotland, U.K. tensely waits on result

The world is waiting to learn if the United Kingdom will remain united, or if the Scots have voted for independence
Record turnout for Scottish independence vote 02:34

EDINBURGH -- The world is waiting to learn if the United Kingdom will remain united, or if the Scots have voted for independence. Thursday's election in Scotland brought a record turnout after a passionate campaign on both sides. No one knows which way it will go.

This vote is a modern take on the old Scottish lyric: "Should auld acquaintance be forgot." In this case the three-hundred-year-old political acquaintance between Scotland and the rest of the U.K.

Coming into this vote, Alex Salmond had his "Yes" side in a virtual tie with those saying "no thanks." The question has basically been, would you buy a used country from this man?

Scotland voters cast ballots on independence 02:43

"This is the country that invented popular sovereignty, something which the United States America, of course, took forward," said Salmond. "So that's up to the Scottish people. But it's going to be a 'Yes' vote."

But another popular Scottish politician, former Prime Minister Gordon Brown, belatedly added emotional fire to what had been a sagging 'No' campaign.

"What we have built together by sacrificing and sharing, let no narrow nationalism split asunder ever," said Brown to a cheering crowd at a 'No' rally.

Voters began lining up at polling stations before they opened. Turnout is expected to approach 90 percent.

The hope is that after two years of bitter campaigning and 300 years of history, the future here might look less murky. But whichever way this vote goes it will be the beginning, not the end, of a process.

"A pro-independence vote will begin a painful divorce negotiation," says Salmond.

"A 'no' victory will mean shifting promised new powers to a Scottish government still in the U.K.," said Brown.

And historian Tom Devine warns, there will be wounds to heal.

"There is an ancient Scottish tradition called flyting...which goes back to the medieval period...which is an attempt to win an argument and you use every means in your power to do that including vilification of the opponent," Devine explained. "But then you go for a drink."He says whether people will be drinking together on Friday is the big question.

But the first question is, who wins? The votes are being brought into counting centers from far-flung areas and the weather's bad. It's going to be a long, tense night.

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