A SCOTTISH band said it was an “incredible experience” to play for the Tartan Army at a World Cup fanzone in Boston.
Celtic rock band Skerryvore played at the Boston City Hall Plaza fanzone on Saturday, ahead of the country’s first World Cup match in 28 years.
An estimated 40,000 Scotland fans have made the trip overseas – consuming thousands of pints of beer, wearing kilts, waving the Saltire and dressed in blue and white football kits.
Fiddle player Craig Espie said playing in the fanzone was “absolutely brilliant fun”.
He added: “We weren’t sure how many people would be there, and it was an amazing turnout for that time of the day.”
Speaking to press in Boston, Espie said: “The best thing about it is just walking down the street and being part of it.
“And it was the same when we were in Munich.
“It’s just an incredible experience being with the Tartan Army when we travel – it’s like party central everywhere.”
Singer Alec Dalglish said it was “very warm” on stage and that there were a “few strugglers in the audience”.
The singer-songwriter joked: “The Scottish people are having to keep themselves very well-refreshed to get through this weather.”
Skerryvore, named after a lighthouse off the coast of Tiree in the Inner Hebrides, features a mix of bagpipes, fiddles, accordions and whistles, alongside guitar and vocals.
Elsewhere, Jodie McCallum – a freelance TV host, known for her work with the BBC, ITV and ITN – has temporarily swapped TV presenting to produce content for the social media channels of The Haven, Boston’s only dedicated Scottish bar.
The Haven held an enormous watch party for the nation’s debut World Cup 2026 match against Haiti, which Scotland won 1-0.
McCallum has been interviewing customers and staff at the bar while the Tartan Army takeover of the city has taken place, stating: “I’m soaking up all the atmosphere.
“I’m an entertainment girlie normally but I’ve done a bit of a side-quest to come here and capture the atmosphere of the fans, because this is possibly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
“We don’t know when Scotland are going to be back in the World Cup, so now is our time, this is the dream.”
Commenting on Scotland’s appearance in the World Cup, she added: “I was six the first time, so obviously I don’t remember it, but as soon as we got the draw, I thought, ‘we have to go, we’ve got to be a part of it.’
“It’s been 28 years, we’ve got to support the boys, you know what I mean?
“I know a lot of people put us down, and I think we probably put ourselves down the most, but actually, considering we absolutely hammered Bolivia, I think we’ve got a better chance than we think.
“We might be the underdog, but I think we’re going to do alright.”
On the atmosphere around the World Cup, she said: “It’s just electric, it feels euphoric and like a nation coming together, all supporting each other.
“Our people are just the best in the world, and to see us all coming together stateside, everybody looking after each other, flying the Scotland banner, having the patter, it makes you so proud.”
