Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie has called for a vote in the Scottish Parliament to cancel plans for a second independnece referendum.

Speaking after his party won four seats north of the border in the general election, Rennie said Scots have "rejected" Nicola Sturgeon's proposal for another ballot on Scotland's constitutional future.

In addition to Alistair Carmichael holding his Orkney and Shetland constituency, the Lib Dems took East Dunbartonshire, Edinburgh West and the Highlands seat of Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross from the SNP.

The SNP ended the night with 35 seats, more than any other Scottish party but lost key figures from their Westminster team.

Mr Rennie said a vote to "sist" - to delay for an indefinite period of time - a second referendum would "bring the country together again".

He said Thursday night had been "very positive" for the Scottish Liberal Democrats, who finished with 6.8% of the vote.

Mr Rennie said: "The election result was a monumental event with the loss of colossal figures on the Scottish political scene.

"The loss of 21 MPs including the former First Minister Alex Salmond and the SNP deputy leader Angus Robertson will leave a major hole in Scottish politics and the SNP.

"The SNP lost 13 percentage points, which is more than any other political party in the United Kingdom. Such major losses require a major political response."

He continued: "The central issue of the election in Scotland was another independence referendum. The Scottish people have rejected that proposal. Nicola Sturgeon must respond immediately to this major event.

"That's why they should hold an early vote in the Scottish Parliament to sist, delay and stop any independence referendum in this parliamentary term.

"I agree with the First Minister that now is the time to bring the country together again and there should be unanimity for this in the parliament.

"Only such a vote would be an appropriate response to give certainty and to put the divisions of the referendum behind us."