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.

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

Residents in UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson's constituent headed to the polls on Thursday with mixed opinions on the election.

Johnson won only by a slim majority over his Labour rival in Uxbridge and South Ruislip in the 2017, where a heavy tactical voting campaign was launched to oust him this year.

Eric Collins, who voted to remain in the Brexit referendum, said he had decided to "swing over to the leave platform" and vote for the Conservatives to honour the leave result from the referendum.

Meanwhile, Labour voter Rupert Banks, criticised Johnson and said he is "a compulsive liar who is not fit for office."

Standing between Christmas stalls to hand out leaflets, William Tobin stood as an independent parliamentary candidate in the Uxbridge constituency.

After living in France for more than 15 years, Tobin was not able to vote in any UK election but according to British electoral law, he could stand as a candidate.

He wanted to highlight his percieved unfairness of the UK voting system, saying that he is standing as a candidate to "raise awareness of we excluded 3 million Brits abroad who can't vote."

This election is seen as a way to resolve the stalemate over Brexit in a parliamentary election that is being seen as the most important since the end of World War II.

The contest pits UK prime minister Boris Johnson, who said he will take Britain out of the EU by January 31 against opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn who promises another referendum on Brexit.

++UK ELECTION ADVISORY - Any broadcasters or media outlets regulated by UK authorities are reminded that election day reporting restrictions are in place, and should seek their own legal advice before publishing political comment or opinion. Restrictions remain active only while polls are open from 0700GMT to 2200GMT++

Uxbridge - 12 December, 2019

1. Shoppers walking past Uxbridge tube station

2. Various of people walking pass a Christmas tree stall

3. Various of shoppers walking pass Christmas tree stall

4. Sign placed near statues reading (English) "'I have known Johnson since the 80s. He is unfit for national office' Max Hastings, former editor Telegraph."

5. Sign reading (English) "Honourable Tories not voting 4 (for) Boris: John Major, Chris Patten, Michael Heseltine", "vote for a change"

6. People walking pass Christmas tree stall

7 . SOUNDBITE (English) Stefan Hay, 51-year-old Chief Executive of a trade organisation who will be voting for Tory:

"At the end of the day, you know, whether you like him or not and all of his eccentricities, I think he has leadership ability and I think he is the best man for the job. Simple as that. The alternative would be excruciating."

8. People walking in Uxbridge

9.  SOUNDBITE (English) Eric Collins, Tory voter:

"Originally, in the referendum I voted to remain, but as the majority voted to leave. I decided that I would swing over to the leave platform. I'm just a bit put out that it has taken nearly three years."

10. People walking on Uxbridge high street

11. SOUNDBITE (English) Jacqueline Hickey, 66-year-old retiree who voted Conservative:

"Brexit needs to be done and I think he's (UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson) honest about most things."

12. People walking on Uxbridge high street

13. SOUNDBITE (English) Charlie Saliba, Tory voter:

"Labour is a waste of time. I've been voting Labour all my life. But I can't stand the way (Jeremy) Corbyn (UK Labour Party leader) is handling things and John McDonnell (UK shadow chancellor), and I think they'll bankrupt the country."

14. People holding signs (English) "Vote NHS, thanks" and "hello, please talk to us about voting today"

15. Close of sign (English) "Vote NHS"

16. Close of sign (English) "Hello, please talk to us about voting today"

17. SOUNDBITE (English) Rupert Banks, Labour voter:

"Not just because I'm an inveterate Labour voter, but because I believe in the policies that he's (UK Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn) raising. And I also I mean, the constituency of a compulsive liar who is clearly not fit for office and they say whatever clichés you like about Mr. (Boris) Johnson (UK Prime Minister), but he's crazy that he seems to commit more faux pas per week and yet gain his popular vote."

18. Stalls in Uxbridge

19. Various of parliamentary candidate for the election William Tobin handing out leaflets

20. SOUNDBITE (English) William Tobin, candidate for the election:

"As you can imagine living in France, my life is being churned up by Brexit and I am very angry about that since it's a decision in which I didn't have a say. So although I can't vote, British electoral law allows me to stand so I'm standing here in the Prime Minister's constituency to raise awareness of we excluded 3 million Brits abroad who can't vote."

21. Various of shoppers and Christmas market