Voters also backed plans for a Scottish Parliament to have tax-varying powers.

The result and turn-out exceeded the expectations of pro-devolution supporters, who feared they had lost momentum during a suspension of campaigning following the death of the Princess of Wales.

Almost two-thirds of the electorate voted, amounting to a total of 45% of the country who opted to be governed from Edinburgh.

All 32 local authority areas in the country voted 'Yes' to a Scottish Parliament and only two - Orkney and Dumfries and Galloway - decided against tax-varying powers.

The strongest backing came from the Labour strongholds of Glasgow and West Dumbartonshire.

UK Prime Minister Tony Blair came to Edinburgh to meet his supporters after the result was confirmed.

He told Labour Party workers the era of "big, centralised government" was at an end.

Raymond Robertson, the leader of the Scottish Conservatives who campaigned against devolution, said he would use the elections to the new parliament as a springboard for a fresh campaign.