The Tartan Army have done it again! Scotland's travelling supporters left Boston with a hero's send-off after turning the city into a sea of songs, smiles and Scottish spirit during the opening stages of the 2026 World Cup. Tens of thousands of Scotland fans crossed the Atlantic for the country's first two matches and made such an impression that many locals admitted they were sorry to see them leave. From packed pubs to baseball games and city tours, the Scots became one of the biggest talking points in town. Businesses across Boston enjoyed a major boost as supporters poured money into local bars, restaurants and attractions. The visitors explored the city, embraced local culture and became a familiar sight throughout Massachusetts. Among those singing the praises of the Tartan Army was Steve Marino, 53, a driver captain on Boston's famous duck boat tours. Hundreds of Scots boarded the amphibious sightseeing vehicles during their stay. Steve said having the Scots in town had been "fantastic" and praised their positive attitude and spending power. He said he had "nothing but compliments" for the Tartan Army and promised to cheer Scotland on for the rest of the tournament. He even shared one of the lighter moments from the visit. Arriving at work one morning, he discovered a traffic cone perched on the head of a giant dinosaur statue beside the ticket office. The mystery remains unsolved. Steve joked that while Scotland has the Loch Ness Monster, Boston now had its own unexplained phenomenon after traffic cones appeared in seemingly impossible places across the city. American football fan and New Hampshire creative director Scott Holt was equally enthusiastic. The 49-year-old described the atmosphere created by Scotland supporters as "unbelievable" and said it had "rejuvenated the city". Holt said residents had embraced the visitors and loved the energy they brought. He added that many locals hoped Scotland fans would return in the future and joked about making it an annual event. The affection was not limited to local residents. Boston's influential newspaper, The Boston Globe, published a full-page open letter thanking Scotland supporters for their impact on the city. The newspaper said the fans had transformed train stations into sing-alongs, turned Fenway into a football ground and made an ordinary June unforgettable. It praised the laughter, bagpipes and memories left behind by the travelling support. The president of the Boston Red Sox, Sam Kennedy, also paid tribute. He thanked the Tartan Army for their support and said the spirit displayed by Scotland fans had "no equivalent in American sport". But there is little time for sentimentality. The World Cup caravan has already rolled south to Miami, where Scotland supporters have begun arriving in large numbers ahead of the next phase of the tournament. Temperatures reached as high as 35C as fans explored the city under blazing sunshine. Retired civil servants Karen and Michael Dunnery said locals already seemed excited by the arrival of Scottish supporters, with joggers shouting: "No Scotland, No Party." Others have travelled directly from Boston to continue the adventure. William Bannister, 69, and his son Neal arrived in Miami full of excitement for Scotland's clash with Brazil and more sporting experiences. William described the trip as "absolutely stupendous" and joked that while drinking Boston dry was possible, Miami might prove a tougher challenge. As more Scotland fans pour into Florida, supporters say the atmosphere is building rapidly. With matches, fan zones and new adventures ahead, the Tartan Army are ready for the next chapter of their World Cup journey. Tartan Army get a heroes' goodbye in Boston as world's best fans arrive in Miami - Daily Record
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