AT A meeting today in Edinburgh, First Minister Alex Salmond and Prime Minister David Cameron signed a deal paving the way for a referendum on Scottish independence.
The document, dubbed the Edinburgh Agreement, makes provision for a single Yes/No question on the secession of Scotland from the Union.
The plebiscite is to be held by the end of 2014 under the auspices of the Electoral Commission and 16 and 17-year-olds will be granted special dispensation allowing them to take part in the ballot.
Below are some of the reactions posted on Twitter:
@ERSScotland / Electoral Reform Society Scotland
Question: Does No mean ‘No Change’ or does No mean ‘something else we’ve yet to decide on’? #indyref #edag
@EddieBarnes23 / Eddie Barnes (The Scotsman political editor)
Cameron wearing serious face as he enters St Andrew’s House. Handshakes all round. Salmond gets his Gorby-Reagan moment #indyref
@BBCJamesCook / James Cook (BBC reporter)
Trying to count the number of special advisers and press officers here. At least a dozen and my view is limited. #indyref #EdAg
@DaftLimmy / Limmy (comedian)
I’m glad 16/17 year-olds can vote in the #indyref. They’re not so worn out and cynical, and it’s their future.
@jeffbres / Jeff Breslin (political blogger)
Today may be historic, but Salmond is being hurtled 2014-wards without a parachute #EdAg
@alanrlaing / Alan Laing (Labour press officer)
Salmond: I want a positive campaign. Next breath: “devastating consequences of no vote”. Nice start! #indyref #EdAg
@SusaninLangside / Susan Aitken (SNP councillor)
Have thesaurus to hand to provide synonyms for ‘historic’. I’m going with ‘epoch-making’ #EdAg #indyref
@NUS_Robin / Robin Parker (President of the National Union of Students in Scotland)
Work starts now to make sure every 16-17 year old have info & opportunity to register & cast their vote in #indyref
@rattcas
Today is lanmark (sic) for Scotland. Wallace and The Bruce would be proud we are a nation to roar once again #indyref
@EdwardDebi / Debi Edward (ITN reporter)
It seems both sides are declaring victory in round one #indyref
@123caramichael / Cara Shankly
We can’t get a decent football team together, never mind anything else #indyref
@AlexCaithness / Alex MacLeod (SNP councillor)
As Labour bods admit their strategy is to ‘concentrate on other things’, momentous events unfold in Edinburgh #irrelevantLabour #EdAg