BBC Democracy Live - Independence referendum date announced 21 March 2013 Last updated at 15:15 Help First Minister Alex Salmond has announced that the independence referendum will be held on 18 September 2014. The first minister was giving a ministerial statement on Scotland's independence referendum on 21 March 2013. Mr Salmond revealed the date as the Scottish Independence Referendum Bill, which will legislate for the vote, was brought before the Scottish Parliament. The bill was "the most important legislation to be introduced" since the devolved Scottish Parliament was established in 1999, the first minister said. Scottish Labour leader Johan Lamont said: "The truth is, Alex Salmond knows if he held the referendum now, he wouldn't just lose it, he would be routed."