A GLASGOW man has told how a stranger quietly paid the breakfast bill for him and his friends in New York, leaving behind a heartfelt note thanking Scotland's World Cup fans for the impression they have made on her city.
Jamie Irvine, 66, from Glasgow's West End, travelled to the United States with his brother Robert and friends Andy and Calum to follow Scotland throughout the World Cup.
The group flew out on June 10, spending 11 days in the Cape Cod area as a base for Scotland's two matches in Boston, before a week in Miami and a final stop in New York.
On Monday morning, June 29, they headed to the Cooper Town Diner on First Avenue for breakfast.
But when they asked for the bill, their waiter returned with an unexpected surprise.
Rather than handing over the cheque, he told the group it had already been paid by another customer and passed on a handwritten note she had left behind.
Jamie told the Glasgow Times: "The waiter came over and said, 'Listen guys, your bill's been taken care of,' and he gave us the message that the lady had kindly written to us as well.
"We were just absolutely gobsmacked."
The handwritten note read: "We hope you all enjoyed the World Cup. Your country has made the BEST impression. We are so happy you were here!"
Staff at the diner later told the Scots that the woman who covered their bill is a local regular.
Jamie said: "They said that the lady was a regular. We actually left another message for her so the next time she comes in she will see our little letter of thanks to her.
"She is just a lady who lives locally who is a regular for breakfast in the diner herself and they didn't give any indication that this was something she does regularly.
"She herself just appreciated what the Scottish fans have brought to her city."
The gesture is one of several acts of kindness the group say they have experienced while following the Tartan Army across the United States.
Jamie said: "By and large throughout our trip we've had other similar surprises, not quite as big as paying for four guys' breakfasts, but we've had things like drinks paid for.
"It's just been the great American people showing their appreciation for what the Scottish people have brought to their country and the World Cup."
Boston was the first stop on the group's journey, with Cape Cod serving as their base before travelling into the city for Scotland's matches and fan events.
Alongside attending the games, they joined the now famous Tartan Army takeover of Fenway Park, when thousands of Scotland supporters descended on the historic baseball stadium.
Jamie said the warm reception extended far beyond Boston itself.
He said: "Even in Cape Cod and the little towns we were based in around there the people were incredibly friendly when they spoke to us.
"We even got on the local news in the town we were staying in, Wareham, in Cape Cod. They ran an article about how the Tartan Army had come in and based themselves in their little town.
"We couldn't turn a corner without someone wanting to have a chat with you and have a photograph with you and, as I said, we got a lot of gestures like this."
The touching gesture is another sign of the warm welcome Scotland supporters have received throughout the World Cup. From Boston to Miami and now New York, the Tartan Army has become known not just for backing Scotland, but for the lasting impression its fans have left on communities across the United States.
