Alex Salmond heads for Edinburgh count
![Alex Salmond arrives at Aberdeen Airport. Picture: Newsline](https://www.scotsman.com/webimg/legacy_elm_35966032.jpg?crop=3:2,smart&width=640&quality=65&enable=upscale)
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Mr Salmond arrived at Aberdeen International airport around 2.30am looking downbeat as the first two results - Orkney and Clackmannashire - came out with No votes.
The First Minister was taken through a side gate onto the airfield to a waiting private plane.
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Hide AdMany had expected Mr Salmond to show up at the Aberdeenshire count - his home turf as MSP for Aberdeenshire East - after the polls closed at 10pm.
![Alex Salmond delivers his final message. Picture: Jane Barlow](https://www.scotsman.com/webimg/legacy_elm_35964863.jpg?crop=3:2,smart&width=640&quality=65)
![Alex Salmond delivers his final message. Picture: Jane Barlow](/img/placeholder.png)
But he failed to show up at the Aberdeen Exhibiton and Conference Centre and there was speculation that he had cancelled his appearance as rumours of a defeat of the Yes campaign spread.
SNP aides later denied that Mr Salmond had been scheduled to appear at the Aberdeenshire count.
The plane - belonging to Air Charter Scotland - left Aberdeen at 3am with Mr Salmond understood to be heading to Ingliston.