On Thursday afternoon, Boston’s local broadcasters covered a significant event led by Mayor Michelle Wu. During this occasion, Wu announced a new partnership that would mark an important milestone for the city. Among the attendees was one standout figure, easily recognizable in his kilt and a T-shirt proclaiming.
“I’m not perfect, but I am Scottish, and that’s kind of the same thing.”
The signed agreement formalizes the twinning of Boston and Glasgow. Wu stated that this collaboration will “create new opportunities for meaningful cooperation and mutual growth” However, it was her mention of “longstanding ties between Scotland and the United States” and the “the goodwill generated during the Fifa World Cup 2026” that truly highlighted the essence of the arrangement. In essence, Boston’s affection for the Tartan Army has now been officially recognized.
In just ten days since their arrival in New England, Scottish fans have captivated yet another audience. They brought with them a letter of support from FC Cologne, a club that fell for the Scots two years prior, and have charmed locals in Boston and beyond. Their antics, from discovering tailgating to dancing at baseball games, have become a highlight on social media.
Following their crucial victory over Haiti at Boston Stadium, some fans have returned home, but many others have flown in to take their place. Most have been greeted at Logan Airport by eager TV cameras. The media has been particularly intrigued by the Tartan Army’s drinking prowess, especially after reports that the Sam Adams taproom downtown was “We’ve been planning for this since December and made sure we had plenty of Tennent’s in the US,” by the fans. While it turned out supplies never ran out, extra orders were necessary after the bar sold 3,000 pints of Boston lager within 48 hours.
Other establishments reported similar experiences. Hennessey’s, an Irish pub, noted that their sales tripled compared to St. Patrick’s Day. The Dubliner, located next to the Fifa fanfest and a popular spot for the Tartan Army, shared that it had its busiest week ever, with a beer shortage only affecting their distributor. Tennent’s, concerned about supply issues, issued a reassurance to patrons through Hazel Alexander, a senior brand manager from the UK. “So we’re confident that supplies will continue to meet the demand.” she stated. “The locals are just incredible, they’re so happy to see us,”
The reception of Scottish fans has been overwhelmingly positive, as reported by Adam Robb from Aberdeenshire. “Surprised to see us, I think, in these kind of numbers, but the reception has been unbelievable.” he expressed. “I reported it as missing and I was at the police station,”
Robb recounted an example of local kindness, explaining how Boston police bought him breakfast after he lost his passport during a hike. “The cops bought me an egg and cheese muffin while I was waiting, which was amazing.” he said. “I think we’re up to about £700,” Although he currently lacks a ticket for the upcoming match against Morocco, Robb is closely monitoring resale sites, where prices have surged. “It was down to £350 before the Haiti game, but I think all these videos are going about and people getting the FOMO. They’re like: ‘Oh, we’re going to have to get part of that.’ I think a lot of them will be Americans.” he noted. “They’re all coming in and saying ‘shit’,”
Robb plans to enjoy some cultural experiences in Boston while abstaining from alcohol “Boston is loving all the Scottish people. Screw the British, the Scottish are coming!” Others might continue the trend of placing traffic cones on Boston statues, a tribute to a similar practice on Glasgow’s Buchanan Street. Additionally, many have visited a local off-licence that has become a popular spot for Scottish tourists, not for what it sells, but for its name. Jobi Liquors has seen a surge in visitors, with the owner, Jim, sharing in a viral video, “They’re all coming in and saying ‘shit’. Boston is loving all the Scottish people. Screw the British, the Scottish are coming!”
