Here are six things that would have changed if Scotland had become independent:

- Scots would have been eligible to apply for a Scottish passport from the date of independence, according to the Scottish government's white paper.

- Sportsmen and women would have been able to compete for Scotland, rather than for the United Kingdom at the 2016 Rio Olympics, although the white paper accepted that which country an athlete represents is a "personal decision".

- The white paper promised a "transformation in early years learning and childcare provision" with current provision of 600 hours of care a year to be extended to 1,140 hours by the end of the first parliamentary term in an independent Scotland

- Scotland's voice would be "stronger" across the world, with the white paper stating: "The fundamental advantage of independence in foreign affairs is the ability always to put Scotland's interests first."

- Under independence the SNP would have made "a clear commitment to secure the withdrawal of Trident from Scotland" a priority in negotiations with the UK.

- An independent Scotland would have its own army, navy and air force, according to the white paper, with decisions on the size of the forces made by the Scottish Parliament and Scottish Government.

And six things that would have remained the same:

- Scotland would have kept the pound as its currency, under the SNP Government's plans for a monetary union with the rest of the UK - although it should be stressed these plans were fiercely opposed by the Conservatives, Labour and the Liberal Democrats, who insisted there would be no deal done to allow a separate Scotland to use the pound with consent of Westminster.

- There were no plans for control points on the border between Scotland and England, according to the white paper, which said would be "inconvenient" for people in Scotland and the rest of the UK.

- TV viewers would still be able watch current BBC programmes, such as EastEnders and Dr Who, as well as Coronation Street and the X Factor, through arrangements with the BBC and ITV.

- Scots would still have been able to play the National Lottery, with no plans to set up a distinct Scottish Lottery.

- Scotland's flag would continue to be the Saltire - although the white paper on independence said it would be for the rest of the UK to decide whether it should keep the Union Jack in the event of independence.

- The Queen would have remained as the head of state, with the white paper proposing an independent Scotland join the family of commonwealth nations.