Massive implications on leaving EU for Scotland's third sector
Leaving the EU will have huge implications for Scotland’s third sector, the scale of which may not be known for several months.
While overall the UK narrowly voted to leave the UK, every local authority area in Scotland voted to Remain, triggering first minister Nicola Sturgeon to say that a second independence referendum is "highly likely".
With all the votes declared, the Leave side won by a margin of 51.9 % to 48.1%.
Thousands of Scots charities are reliant on EU funding but now this cash stream – which runs into many hundreds of millions – is now in doubt.
Although Sturgeon avoided initial questions asking whether she would now push for a second referendum, she hinted at the possibility by saying Scotland had delivered a "strong, unequivocal vote" to remain in the EU. She later said such a move is "highly likely."
We cannot allow resentment to be turned against those least to blame, providing fertile ground for xenophobic and far right politics - Patrick Harvie
"Scotland has spoken - and spoken decisively."
Alex Salmond, former first minister, also said the result could lead to a second independence referendum.
Other Scots political parties were positioning themselves to use the result as the catalyst for what is being dubbed #IndyRef2.
The Scottish Greens have already launched an online petition calling for cross party action to “defend” Scotland’s interests.
Patrick Harvie MSP, co-convener of the Scottish Greens, : "It’s devastating to see that the deceitful, manipulative and at times downright racist Brexit campaign has succeeded south of the border, and looks set to tear up the many benefits of EU membership and play fast and loose with our economic future.
“The Leave campaign claimed to be defending democracy, but they now propose to remove the rights of EU citizenship from Scotland regardless of the way people living here voted,” he said.
"Scotland must keep open every option for protecting ourselves from this threat. The Scottish Parliament and Government must be represented in the negotiations about what comes next. A cross-party plan of action should be sought, so we can defend our rights as EU citizens."
Harvie added: "Over the years the UK’s broken economic system, which serves the interests of the wealthiest at everyone else’s expense, has created feelings of political alienation for a great many people.
"But we cannot allow that justified anger and resentment be turned against those least to blame, providing fertile ground for xenophobic and far right politics.
"The Green Parties throughout these islands – and across Europe – will recommit ourselves to giving people an alternative, and the chance to join an outward looking, internationalist political movement that brings people together instead of dividing them, and which works for the common good."
Overall, 1,661,191 voters backed Remain in Scotland, with 1,018,322 voting for Leave.
Moray saw the closest result in Scotland, with Remain finishing just 119 votes ahead of Leave.
