A Boston-themed cone is seen on the Duke of Wellington statue outside GoMA in Glasgow, Scotland.
Photo: Jason Fong / Strathclyde Telegraph

The arrival of the Tartan Army brought colour, noise and joy to Boston as Scotland returned to the FIFA World Cup stage for the first time in 28 years. 

After one win and one defeat, with Scotland still having a chance to qualify, one thing has remained clear: the support of the Tartan Army has been like no other. 

Filling Boston’s streets with tartan, songs and an unmistakable Scottish spirit, the Tartan Army quickly became impossible to miss. Dressed in kilts, waving flags and with “Yes, Sir, I Can Boogie” on their lips, Scotland’s supporters brought a party atmosphere wherever they went, spreading smiles and joy among Bostonians far beyond the stadium. 

While fans back home in Scotland set alarms for 2am on Sunday, 19 June, to avoid missing Scotland’s opening match with Haiti, Boston Stadium filled with supporters. The crowd reportedly created history, reaching 125 decibels during the pre-match rendition of Scotland’s national anthem, Flower of Scotland. 

Scotland defeated Haiti 1-0 after Super John McGinn scored the winning goal, securing Scotland’s first World Cup victory in 36 years. 

The historic victory was then celebrated in true “No Scotland, No Party” style, as Tartan Army took over Boston’s pubs, streets and sporting venues. Demand for drinks surged across the city, with fans draining bars of beer and an Irish hostelry, Hennessey’s, reporting sales three times higher than St Patrick’s Day. The impact was felt beyond local venues, with distributors reportedly running low on supplies.

The celebrations extended beyond football, with the Scottish fans attending a Boston Red Sox game at Fenway Park, bringing their songs and unmistakable energy to one of America’s most iconic sporting venues and adding another Scottish touch to their Boston takeover.

The Haven, Boston’s only dedicated Scottish bar, became an unofficial Tartan Army headquarters throughout the tournament. It is where on Thursday, 18 June, the energy of Scottish fans led to the signing of a letter of intent, marking the beginning of a partnership between Glasgow and Boston as future twin cities. A formal agreement is expected to follow next year during Tartan Week. 

During the signing, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, wearing a Scotland team top, thanked Scottish fans for “making our city alive”. 

Scots in Boston embraced the city’s landmarks, climbing statues and crowning them with a Glasgow icon, the Duke of Wellington’s famous traffic cone. The spirit was mirrored back in Glasgow a day after Scotland’s 1-0 defeat to Morocco on Friday 19 June, as the team put in a spirited display, defending strongly and pushing forward in the second half, creating chances that kept the game alive right until the end. In response, fans in Glasgow showed their unbreakable spirit by placing a Boston-themed cone on the Duke.

Scotland’s return to the FIFA World Cup has been a major reason behind the excitement and energy surrounding the team. However, it is the supporters who have created a spectacle of their own, spreading joy throughout Boston and creating memories that will remain long after the final whistle. 

Football has brought people together for longer than many of us can remember, and with the energy of Scottish fans celebrating their team, it is the type of atmosphere you want to be part of.

Julia Braun Raven

Hi, I’m Julia Braun Raven, a second-year Journalism, Media & Creative Writing student. I’m co-Editor-in-Chief and Features Editor, and I love creating stories that matter to students, inspiring them, supporting what they’re passionate about, and celebrating their achievements. I’m especially interested in arts, culture, and student life, and I enjoy bringing energy, curiosity, and a love of storytelling to every piece I work on.