Scottish football supporters have been winning over residents in a Massachusetts neighborhood after turning a quiet Airbnb stay into a full-blown display of national pride — complete with flags, songs and the sound of bagpipes at 6.30am.
The visiting members of the Tartan Army arrived at the property late on Wednesday night and, by the next morning, had transformed it with Scotland flags. Their early performance quickly caught the attention of neighbors, offering an unmistakable sign that tournament fever had arrived.
Among those watching was Mike Morrison, a Boston hospital communications director who lives across from the house. He shared a video of the lively scene on social media, helping the moment spread beyond the street where it happened.
The supporters are part of a growing wave of Scotland fans who have traveled to the north-eastern US state ahead of their team’s opening match against Haiti at Boston Stadium in Foxborough, scheduled for the early hours of Sunday morning UK time.
About 30,000 fans are reported to have secured tickets for the games, while a further 20,000 are expected to make the trip to the United States simply to soak up the atmosphere as the tournament unfolds.
Celebrations have already been building across Boston, where Scotland supporters have packed pubs and bars in the city. At The Dubliner, one of the popular gathering spots, footage showed hundreds of fans in Scotland shirts and hats, waving flags as they sang and danced together.
Mr Morrison enjoyed a similar atmosphere at his home on Wednesday, with footage showing the three men outside their Airbnb, one wearing a kilt and taking selfies, while a second is playing the traditional Scottish instrument.
A Scotland flag flutters from an upstairs window, while national bunting also adorns a wooden fence along the front of the property.
Members of the Tartan Army arrived at the property in Massachusetts ‘in the dead of night’ on Wednesday, bedecked it in Scotland flags and treated the neighbourhood to a musical performance early on Thursday
Fans have already been gathering at bars and venues in Boston, Massachusetts this week
Scotland fans celebrate as they gather at The Dubliner, an Irish bar in Boston
Despite the early hour, Mr Morrison confessed to enjoying the performance, saying he welcomes the group ‘whole-heartedly’ and adding: ‘Positive vibes only. We love having them here!’
He also shared a meme from the 1995 film Braveheart in which Mel Gibson, playing William Wallace, famously shouts at his men to hold themselves back to avoid alerting the enemy to their battle trap.
He wrote the caption: ‘Me trying to resist running across the street for daytime pints with the Scots.’
Not everyone was so pleased: several Scots unconnected with the fans in Boston apologised to Mr Morrison over the video on social media, while others told him to ‘call the cops’. The communications director assured those commenting that no apology was necessary.
But he did jokingly ask Airbnb for a spare ticket to Scotland’s opening game in compensation for the noise.
Earlier this week, some were given a memorable send-off as they departed for the nation’s first World Cup finals in 28 years.
The supporters were given a special procession inside Edinburgh Airport, with pipers, drummers and Highland dancers escorting the travellers to their departure gates.
Around 100 fans were serenaded by the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo pipes and drums, as a sea of tartan filled the departures hall.
Scotland fans gather in Boston, Massachusetts on Thursday ahead of their side’s opening match against Haiti this weekend
Scotland fans outside the Cheers Restaurant & Pub, Boston – the team have made the World Cup finals for the first time in 28 years
Gordon Dewar, chief executive of the airport, said: ‘The Tartan Army is famous around the world and we wanted to create something special to celebrate their spirit and Scotland’s long-awaited return to the World Cup.
‘There’s nothing more stirring than the sound of the pipes, and we are delighted to work with our partners at Edinburgh Military Tattoo to showcase Scottish tradition at its very best – and put on a bit of a show for all of the tourists who will be in the airport. Best of luck to Scotland – do us proud.’
Among the fans to fly to the US for the World Cup is First Minister John Swinney, of the SNP.
Thousands of fans have already made the trip, with more to arrive over the coming days.
Although some have reported problems gaining permission to enter the US, and having their ESTA applications denied, for most the journey has been smooth.
A flight earlier this week proved extra special for one family, after they managed to secure tickets to the game while in mid-air.
Christopher Currie from Ayr told BBC Scotland he used the airline’s wi-fi to buy four tickets for the opening game.
‘We managed to buy tickets at 34,000ft (10363m) so it’s been a great flight. We’re absolutely buzzing now,’ he said.
The World Cup officially began last night with the opening match between Mexico and South Africa, which the former, which is co-hosting the tournament, won 2-0.
Scotland’s first game against Haiti will kick off at 2am UK time on Sunday, or 9pm on Saturday in Boston.
