Alex Salmond is expected to call for 16 and 17-year-olds to be given the vote at future elections as MSPs return to Holyrood for the first time since Scotland voted to reject independence.

Mr Salmond, who has announced his intention to step down as First Minister, will reflect on the independence referendum and put pressure on the victorious unionist parties to deliver on their devolution pledges in a statement to the Scottish Parliament.

Presiding Officer Tricia Marwick will open today's proceedings with "time for reflection", a Holyrood slot normally reserved for spiritual or philosophical contributions from religious or secular figureheads.

Mr Salmond's statement will be followed by two days of debate on the future of Scotland, with Labour leader Johann Lamont, Conservative leader Ruth Davidson and Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie expected to open with responses from the Scottish opposition parties.

Scotland voted against independence by 55% to 45% in the referendum on Thursday.

The following day, Mr Salmond announced his intention to resign as First Minister and Scottish National Party leader to make way for a leadership election at the SNP conference in Perth in November.

His deputy Nicola Sturgeon, who is also expected to contribute to today's debate, is widely tipped to succeed him.

Speaking ahead of the debate, Mr Rennie said: "Scots delivered their verdict on the SNP's independence plans at the ballot box but we know that a vote to remain part of the UK family is not a vote against change.

"In the past the SNP have been surly bystanders as others worked to deliver new powers for Scotland. This cannot happen again.

"Already we have seen the First Minister suggest voters were conned and that now the referendum has been lost the nationalists could pursue independence by other means. The fact is that the referendum was fair, legal and decisive as per the Edinburgh Agreement that both Governments signed.

"The Liberal Democrat vision of radical reform towards a federal UK is now top of the political agenda. This is a chance of a lifetime to deliver the change that the majority of people wish to see: a stronger Scotland within the United Kingdom.

"I hope that the nationalists will put their disappointment over the referendum to one side and work with us to deliver this important change."