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Thousands of supporters of Scotland’s national football team have traveled to Boston as the squad prepares to participate in the World Cup for the first time in nearly three decades. With excitement growing, fans—known as the Tartan Army—have been arriving across the US East Coast ahead of Scotland’s opening match against Haiti, scheduled for Saturday at 21:00 local time (02:00 BST Sunday). Despite some last-minute issues with travel permits experienced by a number of fans, many have successfully completed the journey to support their team.
The World Cup itself began on Thursday evening, featuring the opening ceremony and the initial match between Mexico and South Africa. Edinburgh Airport was bustling with fans adorned in kilts and Scotland jerseys as they embarked on flights bound for the United States. Many headed directly to Massachusetts, where Scotland will play their first two group stage games in Boston, while others flew to neighboring states before making their way to the city. Among these travelers was Christopher Currie from Ayr, who shared a memorable moment when he purchased tickets for the Scotland versus Haiti game mid-flight using the airline’s wifi. “We managed to buy tickets at 34,000ft so it’s been a great flight. We’re absolutely buzzing now,” he said. The match will be an especially significant occasion for his son Hudson, marking his first major international game.
Veteran supporters have also made the trip. Jim Stewart, a 69-year-old fan from Edinburgh, has been following Scotland’s matches since 1972, when he attended his first game at Hampden as a teenager. Despite witnessing a 1–0 loss to England on that occasion, Jim’s passion was ignited and he recalls vividly the 2–1 victory over England at Wembley in 1977, a match marked by a memorable pitch invasion. Over the years, Jim and friends attended several tournaments, including the 1982 World Cup in Spain, when they famously traveled in a campervan decorated with tartan wallpaper. Although Jim pursued a career in financial advising that temporarily reduced his match attendance, he has not missed a Scotland game since 2018 and values the camaraderie and travel opportunities football has provided. For this World Cup, Jim secured $60 tickets for Scotland’s three group fixtures and remains hopeful about the team’s chances to advance beyond the group stage, a feat the country has yet to achieve. Keeping his plans flexible, he has even delayed booking a return flight to follow the team as far as possible.
Supporters from the more remote Shetland Islands also have made the substantial journey to the US. Approximately 30 members of the Shetland branch of the Tartan Army have traveled, including brothers James and Stuart Milne from Brae. Their extensive trip involved flights from Edinburgh to Frankfurt, then New York City, followed by a party bus to Boston. James, who organized the trip and has been a long-time fan, estimates that each brother has spent around £6,500 covering match tickets, accommodation, flights, and transfers. Stuart, a newer supporter, expressed how attending games together has strengthened their bond. “Having your brother sitting next to you in a stadium when the game kicks off, for me it’s everything,” said James. Among those attending the tournament with family is Charlie Christie, a former Inverness Caley Thistle player and the father of Scotland star Ryan Christie. Charlie described watching his son’s career rise as a “dream” and believes the World Cup will be Ryan’s career highlight. “I’m not one to go overboard, but it will be emotional. There will be tears,” he
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