Scotland may not have won the World Cup, but the Tartan Army won hearts across America
The Tartan Army has enjoyed a number of special moments at this summer’s World Cup(Image: Sam Navarro/Getty Images)
The World Cup comes to a close tonight as Spain and Argentina prepare to battle it out for football’s biggest prize in tonight’s final. While Scotland’s campaign ended earlier than hoped, the Tartan Army ensured their adventure was one of the tournament’s most memorable stories.
From turning flights into singalongs to filling American streets with kilts, bagpipes and songs, Scotland’s travelling support captured the attention of fans across the world. Their famous humour, passion and party spirit became a highlight of the tournament, leaving a lasting impression on everyone they met.
As the World Cup comes to an end, we look back at some of the best Tartan Army moment from their unforgettable American adventure.
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Flower of Scotland 42,000 feet in the sky
The unforgettable moment Scotland fans broke into a passionate rendition of Flower of Scotland on a flight from London to Boston. The travelling supporters were full of excitement as they made their way to Scotland’s first World Cup in 28 years, turning the flight into a celebration of national pride before they had even reached their destination.
One fan stood up in the middle of the plane and began leading the national anthem, with another passenger adding to the atmosphere by proudly piping the tune while walking up and down the aisle. Within moments, the entire plane had joined in, with passengers singing along and creating a memorable scene at 42,000 feet.
One flight attendant was seen filming the moment as the cabin erupted into song, capturing the incredible atmosphere among the travelling Tartan Army.
READ MORE: Tartan Army belt out Flower of Scotland as they takeover American Airlines flight
Bagpipe wake up call sparks friendship
A group of Scotland fans went viral after a bagpipe performance outside their Boston Airbnb caught the attention of local resident Mike Morrison ahead of the World Cup.
The clip showed the travelling Scots arriving in full national pride, with one supporter wearing a kilt and another playing the bagpipes outside the house at 6.30am. The property had been turned into a mini Scotland base, complete with Saltire flags and bunting.
Despite the early wake-up call, Mike saw the funny side and the moment led to a friendship in Boston, which all started with the lads inviting Mike over for a drink after seeing their bagpipe wake up call went viral online.
The friendship became one of the memorable stories from Scotland’s World Cup journey, with Mike later being given a ticket to watch Scotland’s second match against Morocco and joining the fans in Miami for their game against Brazil.
After the supporters returned home, the invitation was returned, with Mike being welcomed to visit their local pub in Kilmarnock – an offer he is still yet to take up.
READ MORE: Scots at Boston holiday house filmed blasting bagpipes by delighted American neighbour
Tartan Army drinks Boston dry
The travelling Tartan Army turned Boston into a huge party during Scotland’s opening World Cup matches against Haiti and Morocco, with fans filling bars across the city.
The demand proved so high that mutiple pubs ran out of beer, with local venues admitting they had never seen anything like the scale of the Scottish support.
Boston Beer Co revealed that during the first four days the Tartan Army were in town, fans drank four times more than the company would typically stock for a holiday period such as the Fourth of July, leading to emergency deliveries to keep bars supplied.
READ MORE: Boston pubs ‘run out of beer’ as Tartan Army drink boozers dry in World Cup party
New York nuns show support for Scotland
A group of American nuns showed their support for Scotland’s World Cup campaign by joining in with some of the Tartan Army’s favourite songs from their convent in New York.
The Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm in Germantown embraced the excitement surrounding the tournament, proudly waving Saltire flags and singing along to Scottish fan favourites including No Scotland, No Party and We’ll Be Coming.
The order, founded in 1929 by Venerable Mother Angeline, who was raised in Scotland, shared their Scottish pride in a video posted online by Sancta Familia Media.
READ MORE: ‘No Scotland, No Party!’ American nuns go wild for Tartan Army in World Cup singalong
Boston Red Sox take over
More than 5,000 Scotland fans brought Boston to life as they marched through the city in kilts and with bagpipes before heading to Fenway Park to watch the Red Sox face the Texas Rangers.
The incredible atmosphere left a lasting impression, with Boston Red Sox president Sam Kennedy writing to the Scottish FA to thank the Tartan Army for the unforgettable scenes.
In his letter, Kennedy praised the supporters for transforming Fenway Park into a celebration of Scottish culture, saying their passion, humour and generosity created a moment that would never be forgotten. He highlighted how fans from both sporting cultures came together and thanked the Tartan Army for making the famous stadium feel like home during their visit.
READ MORE: Boston Red Sox President writes letter thanking Tartan Army for unforgettable Fenway Park takeover
A warm Boston thank you
The Boston Globe paid a special tribute to the Tartan Army after Scotland fans brought what the newspaper described as a joy that Boston would “never forget”.
The New England news outlet dedicated a full-page feature to the thousands of supporters who travelled to the city to back Steve Clarke’s side during their World Cup matches.
The paper praised the Scots for transforming the atmosphere across Boston, from train stations filled with songs to Fenway Park becoming a celebration of football and Scottish culture.
The tribute thanked the Tartan Army for the laughter, bagpipes and memories they created, saying that while the World Cup would move on, the impact of their visit and the happiness they brought to the city would last for years.
READ MORE: Boston Globe publishes full page thank you to Tartan Army for bringing joy city ‘will never forget’
Tartan Army’s class act after heartbreak in Miami
The Tartan Army showed their class after Scotland’s disappointing 3-0 defeat to Brazil, staying behind to help clean up the Miami fan zone once the final whistle had blown.
As thousands of disappointed supporters left the Bayfront Park amphitheatre, dozens of kilted fans remained behind to clear away empty beer cans and rubbish left around the viewing area.
Before making their way back to their hotels, the Scotland fans grabbed bin bags from staff and got to work tidying the area, quickly collecting the discarded tins and bottles scattered across the grass.
The gesture earned praise from cleaning staff, who thanked the supporters for their help as the fan zone was cleared within minutes. Despite the result not going Scotland’s way, the Tartan Army once again left a positive impression during their World Cup adventure.
READ MORE: Tartan Army stay to clean up Miami fan zone after heartbreaking defeat to Brazil
Long distance romance
There was no doubt there would be a love story coming from the Tartan Army being in America as many had fallen in love with their accents, humour and kilts. One of the stand out love stories came from a chance encounter with a Boston native and a Bonnyrigg joiner.
Tommy Morrison, 38 and Jillian Roberts, 42, became boyfriend and girlfriend after meeting at the Boston Red Sox takeover game. The couples relationship went from strength to strength while Tommy was in the states, and he even returned to Boston after his spell in Miami to reunite with Jill before coming back to Scotland.
The couple have continued their relationship long distance with Jill booking flights to Scotland for the end of August to reunite with Tommy, who has planned a very Scottish stay.
READ MORE: Boston woman Glasgow-bound after falling head over heels for Tartan Army member
Famous No Boston, No Party traffic cone finds new home in America
A famous traffic cone that became a symbol of the friendship between Scotland fans and Boston was officially gifted to the US city after the World Cup.
The No Boston No Party cone, created by Scot Andrew Dobbie and placed on Glasgow’s Duke of Wellington statue, went viral online before being taken across the Atlantic as a gift to Boston.
Andrew and BBC Scotland’s Home of the Year presenter Danny Campbell presented the cone at a special ceremony, where it was signed by Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey.
The event celebrated the incredible connection built between the Tartan Army and Boston locals, with the simple cone becoming a worldwide symbol of the joy and friendship created during Scotland’s World Cup adventure.
READ MORE: Viral Tartan Army traffic cone arrives in Boston home as gift from Scotland fans
American’s miss the songs, kilts and spirits of the Tartan Army
Although Scotland’s World Cup journey ended in the group stages, the Tartan Army left a lasting mark on fans across the United States.
The impact of their visit was highlighted by American fan Madison Rae, whose TikTok tribute claimed the tournament “hasn’t been the same” since the Scots headed home. The viral video compared quieter scenes from later matches with footage of the Tartan Army bringing their famous energy and party atmosphere to the tournament.
It seems the travelling support’s incredible spirit will continue to be remembered across America, with the Tartan Army leaving behind a legacy of songs, celebrations and unforgettable moments from their World Cup adventure.
READ MORE: Americans say World Cup ‘isn’t the same’ without the Tartan Army
