Scotland fans drink Boston bars dry, win over locals with charm offensive ahead of crucial Morocco match

A city transformed

Boston has become a sea of tartan and Saltires as Scotland's travelling support, the Tartan Army, has taken over the Massachusetts capital. More than 20,000 fans have made the journey for the country's first World Cup appearance since 1998. After a 1-0 victory over Haiti on 13 June, the party rolled on through the week, with supporters marching through the streets, attending a Red Sox baseball game at Fenway Park, and famously drinking multiple bars dry.

“We've been here for over 30 years and we've never seen anything like it.”

Beer stocks under siege

The demand for beer has been unprecedented. Hennessy's Bar in central Boston reported that trade following the Haiti match tripled that of St. Patrick's Day, draining all lager, ale and Guinness by Sunday night. Sam Adams' Boston taproom saw demand four times higher than a holiday period, while The Haven, the city's only dedicated Scottish bar, ordered in over 100 kegs of Tennent's to cope. The scene repeated in Providence, Rhode Island, where thousands of Scotland fans based themselves to escape soaring Boston accommodation costs.

Providence becomes 'mini Scotland'

Dubbed "mini Scotland" by locals, Providence witnessed a cultural takeover. Hamish Husband, a Tartan Army spokesperson, described a shift from bemusement to adoration after the Fenway Park appearance went viral. "We are more popular than Taylor Swift," he joked. Supporters marched through the city on Thursday, gathered for a fan event at 195 District Park, and donated $10,000 to Hasbro Children's Hospital, plus a further $6,500 to other causes.

“I was in the hotel this morning and the hotel manager told us off because we didn't have any traffic cones on the local statues.”

Politics and a poignant farewell

Boston's mayor Michelle Wu signed a letter of intent to twin her city with Glasgow, praising shared "grit" and "passion for making sure people are at the centre of everything." Amid the revelry, tragedy struck: Donny Strathie, a 76-year-old lifelong Scotland fan from Grangemouth, collapsed and died at a Boston hotel on Sunday. His family has called for a minute's applause during the 76th minute of the Morocco game. Manager Steve Clarke offered condolences, noting Strathie's ambition to see Scotland at a World Cup had been fulfilled before his passing.

“Among all the great news around the World Cup for Scotland this is obviously very sad.”

What's next

Scotland face Morocco on Friday night at Boston Stadium. A win would guarantee qualification from the group for the first time; a draw would almost certainly secure a place in the last 32. Back home, tens of thousands will watch at Glasgow's TRNSMT festival, which has been turned into a giant fan zone. In Boston, fans without tickets, David Moffat from Inverness said secondary-market prices were around $1,000, will fill bars hoping for more history.