Scotland Schedules Independence Referendum Date

Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond has named the day for the historic ballot in Scotland to decide whether it should become independent.

In a statement at the Scottish Parliament, Salmond announced that the vote will take place on September 18 next year.

The First Minister declared it would be a "historic day when the people will decide Scotland's future".

The referendum will ask the question approved by the Electoral Commission: "Should Scotland be an independent country?"

"A Yes vote means a future where we can be absolutely certain, 100% certain, that the people of Scotland will get the government they vote for," Salmond noted, as cited by Sky News.

Scotland may have to reapply for membership of international organisations such as the UN and EU if it votes for independence, according to legal advice published by the British government in February.