David Cameron has admitted he "contemplated having to go" if Scotland voted for independence.
The Prime Minister said he would have been "heartbroken" by the break-up of the UK and considered his position when polls put the Yes campaign ahead just days before the referendum.
Turnout in the referendum on Scottish independence hit a record high for any election held in the United Kingdom since the introduction of universal suffrage in 1918.
The participation rate of 84.5% topped the previous best of 83.9% recorded in the 1950 general election and dwarfed the tallies in recent Westminster polls, which saw 65.1% vote in 2010 and 61.4% in 2005.
The total - 3,619,915 - will have included many voters who had never cast their ballot before or had stayed away from the polling booths for many years.
Particular highs were recorded in East Dunbartonshire (91%), East Renfrewshire (90.4%) and Stirling (90.1%).
The woman expected to replace Salmond said she will "follow the mood of the people" if promises made in the run up to the vote are not met.
The double Grand Slam winner said he did not regret giving his opinion, but was 'disappointed' at the way he went about it.
Alex Salmond has announced his intention to end a 24-year career at the forefront of Scottish politics. Here is a brief look at his career.