First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has been left 'very disappointed' after the UK Supreme Court ruled that a second independence referendum cannot be held without permission.
Court president, Lord Reid, denied the case for Indyref 2 to be held next October.
However the hopes of another vote regarding the country's future have not been 'abandoned' by the SNP with their eyes now firmly set on the next UK election.
READ MORE: What does the Supreme Court independence referendum ruling mean for Scotland?
So what did the First Minister say after today's Supreme Court decision?
Decision is accepted but fight not over
Nicola Sturgeon made it clear that while she was unhappy with the decision, she accepted it.
However, the First Minister also stated that Scotland's breakaway from the UK is still a priority for the SNP going forward.
She reiterated the fact that only Scottish people should decide their country's future
Nicola Sturgeon said: "Earlier today, the Supreme Court delivered its judgment on the Lord Advocate’s reference, seeking clarity on whether or not the Scotland Act 1998 allows the Scottish Parliament to legislate for a referendum on independence.
"First of all - while I am obviously very disappointed by it - I respect and accept the judgment of the Court.
"In securing Scotland’s independence we will always be guided by a commitment to democracy and respect for the rule of law.
"That principle also reflects a practical reality - the route we take must be lawful and democratic for independence to be achieved.
"And as is becoming clearer by the day, achieving independence is not just desirable - it is essential if Scotland is to escape the disaster of Brexit, the damage of policies imposed by governments we don’t vote for, and the low growth, high inequality economic model that is holding us back.
"However, we must be clear today that the Supreme Court does not make the law - it interprets and applies it.
"If the devolution settlement in the Scotland Act is inconsistent with any reasonable notion of Scottish democracy - as is now confirmed to be the case - that is the fault of Westminster lawmakers, not the justices of the Supreme Court.
"In addressing the implications of today’s ruling, it is also important to be mindful of what the Court was not asked to decide and therefore what the ruling does not tell us.
"The Court was not asked to decide if there is a democratic mandate for a referendum.
"The mandate and parliamentary majority for a referendum is undeniable.
"Nor was the Court asked if Scotland should be independent. Only the Scottish people can be the judge of that.
"And it was not asked if there is any democratic means by which Scotland can choose independence."
Nicola Sturgeon will not resign after ruling
Many behind closed doors thought that the First Minister could call time on her days as leader of the SNP but she confirmed she will not be stepping down.
In fact Nicola Sturgeon believes the Supreme Court's ruling is actually proving the SNP's point and reigniting the fire under independence voters
She said she believes the move proves that Scotland is not living as part of a democracy under the UK Government.
The First Minister added: "Obviously, I am making these remarks just a couple of hours after the Court issued its judgment.
"While the terms and import of the judgment are clear it will still be important to absorb and consider it fully. I think it is safe to predict that this will not be my last word on the matter.
"However, my initial views - building on what I said in June - are as follows.
"First of all, it is worth repeating that the Court judgment relates to one possible route to Scotland making a choice on independence - a referendum Bill in the Scottish Parliament without Westminster agreement.
"While it is absolutely the case - if the UK was a voluntary partnership - that this would not be needed, it remains open to the UK government, however belatedly, to accept democracy and reach agreement.
"I make clear again today, therefore, that I stand ready at any time to reach agreement with the Prime Minister on an adjustment to the devolution settlement that enables a lawful, democratic referendum to take place - a process that respects the right of people in Scotland to choose their future, in line with the mandate of the Scottish Parliament, lets politicians make the case for and against independence and, crucially, allows the Scottish people to decide.
"What I will not do is go cap in hand."
Next General Election is 'de facto referendum'
Many politicians from other political parties have called on Nicola Sturgeon to move on from the hopes of a second independence vote, however that is unlikely to happen.
The First Minister said the vote is a matter of democracy which is being blocked by the Westminster.
She has stated that the upcoming UK General Election will act as a substitute referendum.
Nicola Sturgeon said: "The fact is the SNP is not abandoning the referendum route.
"Westminster is blocking it. And in that scenario, unless we give up on democracy - which I, for one, am not prepared to do - we must and will find another democratic, lawful and constitutional means by which the Scottish people can express their will.
"In my view, that can only be an election.
"The next national election scheduled for Scotland is the UK General Election, making it both the first and the most obvious opportunity to seek what I described back in June as a de facto referendum.
"As with any proposition in any party manifesto in any election, it is up to the people how they respond. No party can dictate the basis on which people cast their votes.
"But a party can be - indeed should be - crystal clear about the purpose for which it is seeking popular support.
"In this case, for the SNP, it will be to establish - just as in a referendum - majority support in Scotland for independence, so that we can then achieve independence."
FM stressed 'Scotland can do better'
The First Minister looked to fire up disappointed independence voters.
She continues to pick at the woes of Brexit, which have impacted families across the country, and the current cost of living crisis.
The SNP leader is certain that a Scotland operating out with the UK will be prosperous.
"Scotland can do better than this," she said.
"The example of independent countries across Europe and the world, many with nowhere near the assets and strengths we have, tells us that loudly and clearly.
"We hear from Westminster that what is needed is stability. But let’s be clear - the Westminster system has shown that it is not capable of securing stability.
"The people relying on food banks are not being offered stability. Those across our country afraid to switch on their heating are not being offered stability.
"The businesses struggling with Brexit are not being offered stability.
"The young people denied the rights and opportunities of EU membership are not being offered stability.
"A UK economic model which delivers low growth and low productivity coupled with sky high rates of poverty and inequality does not, and never will offer stability.
"Scotland can do so much better."
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