Scottish voters are settling in for an anxious night as they await the results of a referendum on independence from Britain

Voting turnout was heavy before ballot boxes closed late Thursday. The official tally is expected early Friday that could end the 307 year union.

Pre-referendum polls showed independence opponents with a slight lead. The latest survey of 3,000 voters by YouGov released Thursday evening, shows support for No to independence at 54 percent and Yes at 46 percent.

Nearly all of Scotland’s 4 million eligible  voters – 97 percent – registered to cast their ballot in the referendum.

VOA Correspondent Marianne Brown  contributed to this report.
…