Four referendum vote counters in the Highlands were relieved of their duties after complaints about their conduct.
The counting staff were reportedly seen giving each other the thumbs up after opening Yes votes at the count in Dingwall on September 18.
They also reportedly gave each other “high fives” after votes backing independence were counted.
It has also been claimed that boos were heard from the four when No votes were opened.
It is believed that a complaint was made about their behaviour by agents working on behalf of Labour and the Liberal Democrats.
Highland Council confirmed yesterday it received complaints during the count and had to remove four members of the count staff team.
A spokeswoman for the Highland Counting Officer said: “Complaints were made about a count staff team of four people at the referendum count in Dingwall and as a result the team were stood down and replaced.”
When asked if the people involved would be disciplined in any way, the spokeswoman answered: “We don’t comment on personnel matters.”
The result from the Highland area was the last in Scotland to be declared, but the spokeswoman said replacing the counting staff had not contributed to the delay.
The result was held up because of a road accident at Berriedale Braes on the A9 Inverness-Thurso road on the night of the count.
Almost 30 ballot boxes being transported to the count to Caithness had to be diverted by a longer route through Melvich on the north Sutherland coast.
At 8.15am on September 19, the count was declared as 87,739 for No and 78,069 Yes.
Chief counting officer Mary Pitcaithly has already said she was satisfied that all counts throughout Scotland were properly conducted and scrutinised.