INVOKING the words of the late Jimmy Reid when he addressed the Upper Clyde Shipbuilders in 1971 during their famous sit-in, moderator of the Church of Scotland Rt Rev John Chalmers called for unity in the aftermath of the referendum.

"The eyes of the world are on us and it needs to see us conduct ourselves with responsibility, with dignity and with maturity," he said.

At a national service of reconciliation in St Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh yesterday, about 1,000 members of the public joined politicians from all parties and representatives of other religious communities, from the Episcopalian and Catholic to Sikh, Muslim and Baha'i faiths.

"The untold energy of people who love Scotland and care about its future has been used up on opposite sides of this debate, now we have to find a way of harnessing all of that energy so that it can be used on the same side," he said in a heartfelt plea.

"Post referendum there are those who are elated or at least relieved, and there are those who are desperately disappointed. 'Gutted' is the description that I have frequently heard. Feelings like these will take time to heal and I want no one to think that I think there is a quick fix.

"For some, this referendum has been about national identity; for us all it has been about self-identity and that is about as close to the soul as it gets."

Scotland's Finance Secretary John Swinney, Better Together campaign leader Alistair Darling and Labour's shadow foreign secretary Douglas Alexander were among the leading politicians who sat together in the congregation.

Alongside them were Liberal Democrat Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander, Lord David Steel, former Deputy First Minister Jim Wallace, now Lord Wallace, and Edinburgh Provost, the Rt Hon Donald Wilson and well-known faces such as writer Alexander McCall Smith.

The service included readings by Mr Swinney and Mr Alexander and, near the close, Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie, Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson, Mr Swinney and Green councillor Ian Baxter joined together to light a single candle symbolising a commitment to work together for the Common Weal.

Asking Scots to put their differences aside and work together to redefine Scotland's place within the United Kingdom following the referendum, the Rt Rev Chalmers asked people to stretch out a hand of friendship to those on opposing sides of the political debate.

"How we voted on one particular day does not define who we are.

"How we work together to put in place what the democratic process has determined will be defining - both for us as individuals and for us as we work to redefine our place within the United Kingdom," he said.

The Moderator wrote to each of the Church of Scotland's 800 ministers asking them to share similar prayers and commitment with their congregations.

Speaking after the service, Mr Alexander said: "Scotland is still a divided nation and we need to heal those wounds and bind ourselves together.

"When I extended the hand of friendship to my good friend John Swinney I hope that gesture will be replicated around kitchen tables and workplaces, at pubs and clubs and school gates in the days ahead.

"There are no longer No supporters and there are no longer Yes supporters.

"As fellow Scots we now need to come together to move our nation forward. In his powerful sermon the Moderator spoke for the whole of Scotland."

Mr Swinney mirrored the views of Mr Alexander, saying citizens needed to concentrate on building the best future for Scotland.

"Across the political spectrum, although we express our views firmly, strongly and clearly, there is enormous personal friendship and goodwill," he said.

"I count Douglas as a personal friend but that won't stop me from disagreeing with him frequently about what I think is right for Scotland."

Among the congregation was Scot James Pringle who had travelled from his home in Bangkok to see the referendum first-hand, even though he couldn't vote.

He said of the service: "I thought this was an epic way to finish the whole process. It has become depressing lately and this has helped to dispel that.I think people have come out feeling brighter but I think the process of getting together again will take some time."