Scotland's raucous Tartan Army of supporters massed in downtown Boston on Friday (June 12), with fans saying they had no qualms about the thousands of dollars they are spending to see their team return to the World Cup after a 28-year absence.

"I've spent the kids' inheritance," joked Willie Dowie, 61, over a beer after giving a lung-busting rendition of "Flower of Scotland" on his bagpipes to fellow fans in the Dubliner Irish Pub near the city's waterfront.

Dowie - who emigrated from Scotland to Australia 42 years ago - and his wife Caroline arrived in Boston on Thursday after a 30-hour journey from Adelaide ahead of the Scots' opening match of the tournament against Haiti on Saturday.

The couple paid $4,000 for four tickets to see the team's first two World Cup matches since 1998 but said the high prices were worth it.

“We just said, ‘why don’t we go to America for the World Cup?’ said Dowie. “First time in 28 years we’ve qualified so, there’s no way we’re going to miss it.”

Gail Nicholl flew into Boston from Edinburgh but said she had no plans to attend a match, preferring just to join in the partying instead.

"It's the camaraderie, everyone looks after everyone,” said Nicholl. “It's fabulous, it’s a big family."

Many Scotland fans are brimming with confidence that their team will advance into the knockout rounds of the World Cup for the first time ever.

Under the competition's newly expanded format, a win on Saturday against Haiti - ranked a lowly 83rd in the global standings by FIFA - would go a long way towards making that dream come true even if tougher opposition in the form of Morocco and Brazil await Scotland in their other Group C games.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, UNITED STATES (JUNE 12, 2026) (REUTERS - Access All)

1. VARIOUS OF SCOTLAND FAN WILLIE DOWIE PLAYING THE BAGPIPES AS SEVERAL OTHER FANS CHANT

2. (SOUNDBITE) (English) SCOTLAND FAN WILLIE DOWIE, SAYING: “We just said, ‘why don’t we go to America for the World Cup?’ First time in 28 years we’ve qualified. So, there’s no way we’re going to miss it.”

3. VARIOUS OF DOWIE AND OTHER SCOTLAND FANS CHANTING

4. (SOUNDBITE) (English) SCOTLAND FAN WILLIE DOWIE, SAYING:

“I’ve spent the kids’ inheritance and they’re not fucking happy about it."

5. VARIOUS OF INSIDE THE DUBLINER IRISH BAR

6. VARIOUS OF SCOTLAND FANS WEARING KILTS INSIDE THE DUBLINER

7. (SOUNDBITE) (English) SCOTLAND FAN WILLIE DOWIE, SAYING:

“Every time we walk down the street I’ve never seen so many kilts actually in my life. When I go to Scotland I’ve not seen so many as I’ve done here. Everybody’s just getting into it and it’s absolutely brilliant.”

8. (SOUNDBITE) (English)SCOTLAND FAN GAIL NICHOLL, SAYING:

“They are just special it's the camaraderie ship. Everyone looks after everyone. It's fabulous. It's a big family. The camaraderie ship is major."

9. VARIOUS OF NICHOLL SHOWING OFF HER SCOTLAND UNDERWEAR

10. (SOUNDBITE) (English)SCOTLAND FAN GAIL NICHOLL, SAYING:

"I met these two gorgeous girls from Boston. It was her birthday, she was having cocktails. I bought her another one and they kept saying 'welcome to Boston, Massachusetts! Boston! Boston! They loved us, we loved them. I bought her a birthday drink. Everyone is so friendly, so nice."

11. SCOTLAND FANS SINGING A SONG IN THE DUBLINER