EDINBURGH (UK), September 19. /ITAR-TASS/. Scottish First Minister and nationalist leader Alex Salmond conceded defeat on Friday over his bid to win independence in a referendum.

He said more than 1.6 million Scots have voted for independence, but this has not been enough. Salmond said he accepts the verdict of the people.

In Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, the secession was supported by 39% of the voters and 61% were against, according to the preliminary results of a referendum.

No exit polls were conducted for reasons of costs and inaccuracy.

Broader powers to Scotland

British Prime Minister David Cameron pledged to grant broader powers to Scotland, Wales, England and Northern Ireland. He also noted that his government would fulfil its commitments to transfer new powers to Scottish parliament in taxes, budget expenditures and social security.

Proposals to transfer powers will be prepared in November, the specific bill will be moved in parliament in January 2015.

Alex Salmond earler expressed hope that official London would fulfil its promises to offer Scots more devolved powers if they remained part of the United Kingdom. 

Orkney, Shetland Islands, Outer Hebrides say No

Earlier, t was reported that Orkney, Shetland Islands and the Outer Hebrides voted againt the independence. In Orkney Islands, 33% of those who came to the polling stations voted for secession from Great Britain, while 67% voted against it. The turnout was 83.7%.

On the Shetland Islands 36% of voters supported independence while 64% spoke against it. The turnout exceeded 80%.

The Outer Hebrides unexpectedly turned down the idea of independence, with 46.5% voting for it and 53.4% against. The turnout was 86%.