Christopher Furlong via Getty Images
A year to the day Scotland went to the polls to vote on whether to stay in on leave the United Kingdom. It was an extraordinary campaign. Selfies, celebrities, the passionate Highlander, more selfies, the "effing Tories", that poll, The Vow and Labour MPs being heckled by Darth Vader's Imperial March being blasted from a rickshaw. Colourful isn't the word. Alex Salmond bowed out by saying the "dream" was not dead. Today, the battle for independence/to save the union goes on.
Scottish Independence Referendum In Pictures
The Edinburgh Agreement(01 of23)
You'd struggle to create a more sober photocall in contrast to the fireworks to come. Scottish Secretray Michael Moore, Nicola Sturgeon, Alex Salmond and David Cameron prior to signing the referendum agreement. So the story begins. (credit:Pool via Getty Images)
Rallies. Lots Of Them(02 of23)
Enthusiastic marchers filling the top half of Edinburgh's Royal Mile. Groups that took part here included Farming for Yes and Football Supporters for Independence. (credit:Lesley Martin/PA Archive)
The Leaders' Debate (03 of23)
Alex Salmond and Alistair Darling, the ex-Chancellor and chairman of Better Together slugged it out in two debates. The internet was electrified. Said the BBC: "There were a total of 255,559 tweets, with the spikes in conversation - measured by tweets per minute - when Mr Salmond grilled Mr Darling over job creation, Mr Salmond pushed Mr Darling over the bedroom tax and the first minister was once again quizzed over his currency plans." (credit:Jeff J Mitchell via Getty Images)
Great Mocked-Up Pictures(04 of23)
Underwear and laundry hang from a washing line below Edinburgh Castle, expressing their preference. Knickers for Independence! (credit:Christopher Furlong via Getty Images)
The Big, Big Debate(05 of23)
The BBC invited an audience of 8,000 16- and 17-year-old first-time voters to the SSE Hydro in Glasgow to quiz key members of the Yes and No campaigns, including George Galloway in a curious hat. A few expressed their boredom on Twitter. (credit:Jeff J Mitchell via Getty Images)
The Passionate Highlander(06 of23)
The BBC's Question Time featured Nigel from Inverness who delivered an impassioned speech: “I was born in Inverness, I’m a passionate Highlander, and I love Scotland. I will take a stand to keep the United Kingdom together. I will give my life for my country as my grandfather did in the First World War.” A cult hero was born. (credit:BBC)
Street Confrontations(07 of23)
Jim Murphy, the leader of the Scottish Labour Party, is confronted by a protester as he campaigns with comedian Eddie Izzard in Glasgow. Murphy later postponed his 100 towns 100 days tour - atop an Irn Bru crate - after being hit by eggs, claiming that the 'Yes' campaign had organised mobs to intimidate not only him but the undecided voters. (credit:Carl Court via Getty Images)
Selfies(08 of23)
(credit:Matt Cardy via Getty Images)
Selfies(09 of23)
(credit:Jeremy Sutton-Hibbert via Getty Images)
And More Selfies(10 of23)
(credit:Peter Macdiarmid via Getty Images)
Rickshaw Rider Goads Labour MPs With Star Wars’ Imperial March (11 of23)
When Labour MPs took the express train from Westminster to Glasgow to help the 'No' push, few expected to be greeted by a rickshaw rider taunting them to the strains of Darth Vader's theme tune and the cry: "People of Glasgow, this is your imperial masters." The full 10-minute clip is a comic joy, as the hero of the 'No' campaign boomed: "These lovely people, they have travelled all the way from England to tell us they are better to rule us than anybody else. People of Glasgow your imperial masters have arrived." (credit:Empire Biscuits/YouTube)
Darth Vader Enters The Fray(12 of23)
A recurring theme. Campaigner dressed as Darth Vader at a 'Yes' rally in Glasgow. Of course. (credit:Mark Runnacles via Getty Images)
Alex Salmond Swamped By Supporters Wherever He Went (13 of23)
Salmond was the face of the 'Yes' campaign, mobbed everywhere he went. Though gurning selfies dominated, the then Scottish First Minister is pictured here striking the classic politician's pose in with 'Yes' supporters in Aberdeenshire. (credit:Danny Lawson/PA Archive)
Protests Outside The BBC(14 of23)
Protests outside the BBC. Nationalists singled out BBC Politcal Editor Nick Robinson for criticsim, with banners urging the corporation to sack the "liar". Robinson later compared the protests to the treatment of the media in Vladimir Putin’s Russia, and hit out at “intimidation and bullying” of journalists. (credit:Jeff J Mitchell via Getty Images)
The 'Effing Tories Arrive(15 of23)
Prime Minister David Cameron tells workers at Scottish Widows' offices in Edinburgh he would be 'heartbroken' if the UK was torn apart, and cautioned against using the ballot to give the “effing Tories a kick". (credit:WPA Pool via Getty Images)
Poll Causes Shockwaves(16 of23)
Historically, surveys had signalled independence would fall short of a simple majority. Then a poll by YouGov for the Sunday Times showed the 'Yes' campaign had 51% to 49% for 'No'. Game on
Gordon Brown's Union-Saving Speech(17 of23)
The final day of campaigning before the vote and former Prime Minister Gordon Brown gave "the speech oh his life", urging Scots who oppose independence to "stand up and be counted" and arguing Alex Salmond did not have a monopoly on patriotism. (credit:Matt Dunham/AP)
Westminster Makes "The Vow"(18 of23)
David Cameron, Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg signed a historic joint statement promising to transfer more powers to Edinburgh if independence was rejected. You can still feel the tremors of the Daily Record splash today: the SNP's major grievance is The Vow has not been delivered, and the fall-out cold trigger another referendum. London begs to differ.
The Big Day(19 of23)
Scotland goes to the polls. (credit:Andrew Milligan/PA Archive)
'No' Joy(20 of23)
'Better Together' supporters celebrate the result: 'No' won with 2,001,926 (55.3%) voting against independence, and 1,617,989 (44.7%) voting 'Yes' in favour. (credit:Jeff J Mitchell via Getty Images)
'Yes' Heartache(21 of23)
A crestfallen pro-independence supporter in Edinburgh. (credit:LESLEY MARTIN via Getty Images)
Cameron Makes His Move(22 of23)
Just hours after his victory, the PM was addressing the media in London, promising devolution across Great Britain, including votes on English Votes for English Laws (Evel). The move, effectively saying MPs in Scotland would not be allowed to vote on English-only matters, was considered opportunistic by opponents. (credit:CARL COURT via Getty Images)
Salmond Stands Down: "The Dream Shall Never Die." (23 of23)
At a hastily-arranged press conference, Salmond announce he was signing off as First Minister and SNP leader. He told reporters: “Scotland can still emerge as the real winner. For me as leader, my time is nearly over but for Scotland, the campaign continues and the dream shall never die.” Fast forward to May's general election and the dream felt very much alive.