Scotland Fans Arrive in Boston Ahead of World Cup
Thousands of Scotland supporters are arriving in Boston after traveling to the United States for the World Cup. Excitement is mounting as the men's national team prepares to compete in the tournament for the first time in nearly three decades.
Members of the Tartan Army have been making their way to the US East Coast in anticipation of Scotland's opening match against Haiti, scheduled for 21:00 local time on Saturday, which corresponds to 02:00 BST on Sunday for viewers in Scotland.
While some fans have encountered last-minute issues with travel permits being revoked, the majority have successfully completed their journeys.
The World Cup officially begins on Thursday evening with the opening ceremony and the first match between Mexico and South Africa.
Edinburgh Airport was filled with kilts and Scotland jerseys on Wednesday as fans departed for the US via various flight routes. Some flew directly to Massachusetts, where Scotland will play their first two group matches in Boston, while others traveled to nearby states.
One family experienced a memorable flight on a direct Delta flight to Boston when they managed to purchase match tickets mid-air.
Christopher Currie from Ayr told BBC Scotland that he used the airline's Wi-Fi to buy four tickets for the Scotland versus Haiti match at what he described as a "decent" price.
"We managed to buy tickets at 34,000ft so it's been a great flight. We're absolutely buzzing now."
It will be his son Hudson's first major international game.
Veteran Fan Jim Stewart Shares His Journey
Among those already in the US is 69-year-old Jim Stewart from Edinburgh, a lifelong Scotland supporter who attended his first match at Hampden Park as a 15-year-old in 1972. That game ended in a 1-0 loss to England but sparked his enduring passion for the national team.
One of Jim's most cherished memories is the 1977 victory over England at Wembley, a 2-1 win remembered for the post-match pitch invasion during which fans took pieces of the turf and damaged the goalposts.
"I was on the pitch that day. My dad's got a bit of Wembley turf in his garden somewhere still - but no goalposts," said Jim.
Jim's first World Cup experience was in Spain in 1982, when he and eight friends bought a campervan decorated with tartan wallpaper and drove to Malaga.
Although football took a backseat when Jim moved to England to work as a financial advisor, his enthusiasm was rekindled in the early 2000s. Since the 2018 game against Peru, he says he has not missed a Scotland match, whether home or away.
He describes following the team as an excellent way to explore the world.
"I enjoy meeting up with people and seeing different places I never in my life would have thought I'd have gone to – Peru, Kazakhstan, Albania, Armenia, Russia and Moldova.
"You meet up with all sorts of people when you go to these places. There's a big group of us that always seem to find each other.
"On match days there can be 50 or 60 of us and we'll have a few beers and go to the games."
Now retired, Jim secured $60 tickets for all three of Scotland's group stage matches but admits he did not expect to see the men's team at another World Cup.
"I'd been to Spain in 82, France in 98 and the Euros in 24, but it just seemed to be the World Cup was never going to happen for us."
Scotland has never advanced beyond the group stages at a World Cup. Jim believes the current squad is the strongest he has seen and is hopeful about their prospects.
"I think we could get out of the group, but then again I've thought that in every World Cup since 1974," he added.
Keeping his options open, Jim has not booked a return flight home so he can continue to support the team as far as they progress.
Shetland Fans Embark on Lengthy Journey
Members of the Shetland branch of the Tartan Army consider themselves among the most dedicated due to the additional travel required from Scotland's northernmost region.
Approximately 30 supporters from Shetland are traveling to the US for the World Cup, including brothers James and Stuart Milne from Brae on the northern mainland.
The brothers began their journey by traveling to Scotland's central belt to join friends before flying from Edinburgh to Frankfurt, then on to New York City, followed by a party bus ride to Boston.
Each brother has spent around £6,500 on match tickets, accommodation, flights, internal flights, and transfers during the trip.
"And we've not even bought a pint yet!" joked 41-year-old James, who organized the trip.
While James has been a long-time Tartan Army member, his 40-year-old brother Stuart is a more recent addition.
"Having your brother sitting next to you in a stadium when the game kicks off, for me it's everything," said James.
Charlie Christie to Watch Son Ryan at World Cup
Inverness Caley Thistle legend Charlie Christie will also be traveling to the US with his family to watch his son Ryan play for Scotland.
Charlie described it as a "dream" to witness his son's football career, which began in Caley Thistle's youth system before progressing to the club's senior team, then moves to Celtic, Aberdeen, and currently Bournemouth, alongside earning 68 caps for Scotland.
He called the World Cup the "pinnacle" of Ryan's career and encouraged his son to cherish every moment.
"I'm not one to go overboard, but it will be emotional. There will be tears," he added.
