Edinburgh, United Kingdom - 24 December 2020

1. Close of Scottish flag hanging from an apartment window in Edinburgh

2. Wide of Edinburgh town centre Christmas lights

3. Close of Christmas lights

4. Wide of Christmas tree in Edinburgh town centre

5. Wide of the Scottish Parliament

6. Mid of Scottish flag, Union Flag and EU flags in front of Scottish Parliament

7. Mid of Scottish parliament sign with "Sorry we're closed" on it

8. Close of Scottish parliament sign

9. SOUNDBITE (English) James Craig, Maintenance worker:

"I don't know enough about it (the Brexit deal) but we are probably better having some kind of deal. But, whether the fishermen would agree with the deal that is on offer is another story. There could well be European boats in British waters for the next 10 years."

10. Wide of people in front of the Scottish parliament

11. SOUNDBITE (English) James Craig, Maintenance worker:

"My feeling is we'll be writing a wrong that was committed 300 years ago. That is it in a nutshell. (about Scottish independence)."

12. Wide of Alba Bistro (Alba is another name for Scotland)

13. Close of Scottish flags painted on Alba Bistro

14.  SOUNDBITE (English) James Armour, Project Manager for a clean technology firm:

"I think if I were to sum up my feelings about Brexit in one word, it would be fatigue. Maybe that is also because of everything that is going on with Covid. I mean I personally lived in Denmark for three years and I have a lot of affinity for Europe. And I loved that I could go and study there for free, being part of the European Union, which was really cool. I had a great experience and it is a shame I  guess that people in the future might not have that opportunity from Britain. But, I am fatigued because it has been going on for so long, it is happening now, the ball is rolling. I think we should just finish it. But, I do appreciate the people in Scotland, on the whole actually wanted to stay in the EU. So, I can see how that is difficult for us being up here and being part of the Union with the rest of the United Kingdom."

15. Wide of closed "Wee Scottish Pub"

16. Close up of "Wee Scottish Pub"

17. Wide of Grassmarket square in the middle of Edinburgh

18. SOUNDBITE (English) Pamela Tosh, Teacher:

"I think it makes me feel relieved,because over the past couple of weeks there has just been so much hype and misinformation in the media. And then I guess all the queues at Dover and the threat that we might have restrictions in terms of the food that we have. So, hopefully it would get rid of all of that and get rid of a lot of the uncertainty. But, personally I would prefer Scotland to be part of the Europe. So that is the way I am going to vote in future. I will vote for independence and for Scotland to be part of the European Union in the future."

19. Wide of Alba store

20. Close of Alba store

21.  SOUNDBITE (English) Jaime Taylor, Retired engineer:

"I hate Brexit. I think it is a completely retrograde step. I can remember life before we joined Europe and I can remember things getting better, in every way. I think the feeling of being part of a multinational, international, outwardly looking community has been absolutely fantastic. I have always been very excited about everything about being in Europe. And I have been miserable the last four years. I have been following it almost every second of every day. And it is a completely retrograde thing going backwards into an isolated.. Trying to shrink the size of Britain, really England trying to drag Scotland with it. "

22. Wide of Edinburgh Kilt Maker shop

23. Wide of a food stand in Edinburgh town centre called "French connection"

24. SOUNDBITE (English) Jaime Taylor, Retired engineer:

"It feels very much that it is time for the Union (the United Kingdom Union) to be dissolved. Most of us in Scotland would rather be part of the European Union than the British Union, well I am speaking for myself, but there is a definite feeling that way. And, we are stuck now with this Tory party that are governing Westminster."

25. Mid of Jaime cycling away

26. Wide of French restaurant next to an Italian restaurants in Edinburgh town centre

27. Close of a sign saying Petit Paris restaurant is closed

28. Wide of the Scottish parliament

In Scotland's capital city, Edinburgh, many described their fatigue and dismay with Brexit, even after a deal was reached on the eve of Christmas.

The Scottish National Party is expected to seek a mandate to hold a second Scottish independence referendum after the 2021 elections for the Scottish Parliament.

People in Scotland voted to remain in the European Union by a majority of over 60% in the 2016 Brexit referendum.

"I can remember life before we joined Europe and I can remember things getting better, in every way," said Jaime Taylor, a retired engineer.

Many Scots back Scottish independence from the United Kingdom Union as a possible way for the nation to get back into the EU.

Just a week before the deadline, Britain and the European Union struck a free-trade deal Thursday that should avert economic chaos on New Year's and bring a measure of certainty for businesses after years of Brexit turmoil.

Once ratified by both sides, the agreement will ensure Britain and the 27-nation bloc can continue to trade in goods without tariffs or quotas after the U.K. breaks fully free of the EU on Jan. 1.