The Tartan Army have swapped pub crawls for sightseeing as supporters make the most of Boston’s attractions after Scotland’s opening World Cup win over Haiti.
The cultured Tartan Army are taking in sightseeing tours in a rare quiet moment before the chaos resumes later this week.
Scotland fans are enjoying some downtime in Boston, with fans able to relax and put their feet up thanks to our 1-0 win over Haiti at the weekend.
Supporters brushing off Boston Red Sox hangovers headed down to the Museum of Science on Monday before booking tickets for the city’s famous duck tours.
The popular sightseeing attraction, features a fully narrated 80-minute tours in replica World War II amphibious vehicles that travel on both land and water.
The signature highlight of the experience is a dramatic “big splash” directly into the Charles River for panoramic views of the Boston and Cambridge skylines.
Speaking to the Record before boarding, Fraser MacKenzie, 43, from Kilwinning, and his dad Donald, 73, from Paisley said they have been loving the American hospitality.
Donald, a retired operations manager, added: “It’s a great city. The people have been so welcoming. Every time they see the Scotland badge they come up to us – it’s been superb.
“We’ve really been making the most of the trip. We walked 13.4miles yesterday.
Fraser, who works in IT sales, added: “We’re heading on the tour of Boston down Charles River to see the main sights. We’ll be taking it easy on the step count today but still exploring the city. It’s been phenominal.”
Nieshia Boal, a 35-year-old change manager, and her dad John, a 60-year-old electrician, were watching on enviously after accidentally buying their duck tour tickets for the wrong day.
Nieshia, from Stevenston, said: “We just missed the duck tour there which is gutting – everything is fully booked. We are all getting right in amongst it.
“We’ve absolutely loved our trip. It’s been amazing. I feel so proud. When you see all our fans and the impact we’ve had on the city. People have come up to us and said ‘thank you so much for bringing joy to Boston’.
“I guarantee there will be no other fans that will come here and leave this mark on the city.
“We’ve done a lot of pub crawling bnut we’ve seen loads of the city too. We went to the game at Fenway Park yesterday. That was absolutely pumping – the Red Sox fans didn’t know what had hit them! It was so great to see all the Scotland fans there.”
John added: “We were at the game on Saturday too. The atmosphere was amazing. When Flower of Scotland was sang – that will stay with me forever. I think we will do enough to get out the group now. We’ve never been in a better position.”
Richard Taylor, who is 45 and works for Police Scotland, was heading to towards the museum with his son Lewis, 16.
Richard, from Cambuslang, told the Record: “It’s been a fantastic trip – it’s been like nothing we have ever experienced.
“We went to the fan zone yesterday which was brilliant and today we are going on the tour of the city before gearing up for the Morocco match on Friday.
“We’ve been squeezing in as much as we can. It has been a Scotland takeover. Everyone has been so nice and so grateful that we are here.”
Lewis added: “It’s been unreal. The atmosphere at the stadium was like nothing I’ve ever seen in my life too. I think the Morocco match will be a tough one but I think we will do enough to get the point.”
It was a quiet atmosphere in the city centre compared to the chaotic scenes on Saturday.
Mark Dunlop, 64, a publican from Ayr, Alan Gourlay, 64, a retired mechanic originally from Glasgow but now living in Sydney, Mark Craig, 64, a retired accountant originally from Ayr now living in Sydney, and Douglas Simpson, who is 64, retired and from Ayr, were heading on the city cruise.
Mark said: “We’ve absolutely lucked out. It’s an amazing city and has been an amazing trip. We’re heading on the duck tour now and we’re heading to the baseball tomorrow. It think we are a couple of days late for that and a dollar short, but what can you do! That’s how we roll.
“We just need to be better organised and play a bit more positive on Friday. If we do that, we’ll get the result we need.”
Elsewhere Barbara Wilson, 79, Sheena Henderson, 79, and her son Alistair Henderson, 45, have been savouring every moment of their World Cup adventures.
The trio were also there at Fenway Park to embrace the chaos at the “Scotland celebration” baseball match.
Barbara said: “I don’t think the Red Sox actually knew what was coming.
“The whole stadium was singing Flower of Scotland and Super John McGinn.”
She laughed: “One fan turned around and said to me, ‘I have no idea who John McGinn is, but I like the sound of him!’”
Sheena said: “The atmosphere was just incredible. Everyone was so friendly. A couple of Red Sox fans who we were chatting to just couldn’t believe it. They’d never seen anything like it.
“We’re heading on the duck tour now. We are away home tonight but we’ve been making the most of our time here. I just wish we could stay for the Morocco game.”
Barbara piped back in: “You never know, we could be back if we get through this group! I was there in Turin 36 years ago we we suffered the heartbreak against Brazil but it’s going to be different this time. We’re going to beat Morocco and draw with Brazil.”
Get Daily Record Premium for just £1 per month in exclusive offer to celebrate the world cup. Click HERE.


You must be logged in to post a comment Login