The party’s over as time is called on notions of nationhood

HE burst out onto Edinburgh’s Royal Mile from a side street after the results swung against separation, and channelling the words of that little-known unionist Amy Winehouse, loudly sang: "They tried to make me leave the UK, I said: No! No! No!"

How different from a few hours previously when the throng in front of the parliament building at the foot of the Mile was all-but ready to declare independence on the spot.

Barely a No voter could be seen, indeed walking up the wonderfully gothic and imposing thoroughfare, homeless people far outnumbered supporters of the union.