Thousands of Scotland fans brought Munich’s central square to a standstill today as they flocked to bars to down steins of lager – 24 hours before the Euros even kicks off in Germany.
Steve Clarke’s men face the hosts in the opening game of the tournament tomorrow night, but kilt-clad Scots supporters are already in party mood as they brought a taste of the Highlands to Bavaria.
The Tartan Army brought their usual raucousness as they took over the Marienplatz as a bagpiper stood on a plinth and played Flower of Scotland to lead the crowd in song.
Fans downed steins of lager and waved Scottish flags and scarves as they were full of hope that they would see Scotland go through the opening round for the first time at a major tournament.
They have been drawn in Group A alongside Switzerland and Hungary.
Thousands of Scotland fans brought Munich’s central square to a standstill today as they flocked to bars to down steins of lager
A man carries a crate of beer back to his friends
The Tartan army brought their usual raucousness as they took over the Marienplatz
The city’s Marienplatz was taken over by the Tartan Army today ahead of the opening game of the tournament tomorrow night
Two fans hold bottles of Desperados in Munich as they get in party mood ahead of the tournament starting
A daring Scotland fan dives into the fountain at the Marienplatz central square
A Scot standing the fountain waters carries a crate of bottled German lager
A German fan waves his country’s flag among a crowd of Scottish people
Scotland are taking part in only their second major tournament since the 1998 World Cup in France, having previously competed in the Covid-delayed Euro 2020 finals.
Hilarious footage also emerged of a bagpiper falling off a table while serenading a packed bar of Scotland supporters in Munich as the Tartan Army’s invasion of the city continues.
Scotland have the honour of opening the tournament by facing Germany in the first match tomorrow, and supporters have already made their presence felt in the Bavarian capital.
But things haven’t always gone smoothly, with footage showing a piper standing on a table to serenade fans in a beer hall before toppling backwards onto the floor.
Tens of thousands of Scotland supporters are expected to make the journey this summer for what is only their second major tournament since the 1998 World Cup in France, and early evidence suggests it’s been thirsty work.
Paul Malik was in Glasgow Airport today and tweeted that the terminal’s Tennent’s bar had run out of the lager by 9am. And X user Chris McCall added: ‘I’m told it was the same at Edinburgh airport last night. An angry pal was left drinking Stella.’
While the atmosphere has been overwhelming good natured, things briefly turned ugly last night when a fight broke out on the main square – with footage showing thugs throwing chairs. Two Scottish supporters were arrested.
One fan took a dip in the fountain at the Marienplatz central square as the sun beamed down
Bottles of beer can be seen around the fountain’s edge as a fan cools off in the water
One kilt-clad Scotland fan stands on a chair and leads the chants while holding a bottle of lager
Fans waved Scottish flags and scarves as they were full of hope that they would see Scotland go through the opening round for the first time at a major tournament
Fans waved Scottish flags and scarves as they were full of hope that they would see Scotland go through the opening round for the first time at a major tournament
Scotland fans watch a street football performer in Marienplatz, viewed from St. Peter’s Church
Footage shows a piper standing on a table to serenade fans in a beer hall before toppling backwards onto the floor
The stricken piper had to be rescued by his mates as he took a heavy tumble
Scotland have the honour of opening the tournament by facing Germany in the first match tomorrow, and supporters have already made their presence felt in the Bavarian capital
A group of Scotland fans pose alongside a saltire in the centre of Munich
A pair of Scotland fans in high spirits as they drink steins in Munich
There was a festival atmosphere on Marienplatz today ahead of tomorrow night’s game
An aerial photo showing the huge crowds gathered in the square
Friends Adam Shepherd, 31, Josh Mcclelland, 30, Mark Paterson, 30, and Mark Keye, 32, are among those who have made the journey to Munich.
As he soaked up the atmosphere, Mr Shepherd, a joiner, told the Daily Record: ‘It feels amazing to be here. We’ve dreamed about it for ages and now we are finally here. It’s incredible.’
Keith Work, 45, and his wife Julie were posing for photos on Marienplatz with their nine-year-old son, Adam.
Mr Work said: ‘It’s been amazing to see so many Scotland fans here already. The first people we saw at the hotel were Scots. We’ve really taken over.’
Adam – who had to miss his last few days of school to make the trip – said he thinks Scotland could win tomorrow night’s game if they are ‘lucky’.
More than 150 Tartan Army fans flew out from Inverness today after an enterprising publican hired a plane and told the carrier to double their beer stock for the thirsty Scots!
Don Lawson teamed up with local firm SJ Travel to charter the private jet for £90,000.
They then put together Tartan Army hotel and ticket deals for Scotland football fans living locally.
Such has been the popularity of the venture, Mr Lawson, 62, who owns Johnny Foxes and Jimmy Badgers in Inverness, said he could have filled ‘two or three planes’ given enough notice.
National coach Stevie Clarke’s team head for the finals in buoyant mood after beating Spain and Erling Haaland’s Norway en-route to their second consecutive Euro finals.
But with prices soaring on all exit routes from the UK to Germany, Mr Lawson was keen to ensure local Tartan Army foot soldiers could have their heads up in the clouds as well.
An excited young Scots fan had his face painted in Scotland’s colours
A piper leads Scotland fans for a singalong in Munich this afternoon
Scotland fans will be hoping their side can pull off a surprise result against Germany tomorrow
Fans were in good spirits ahead of the clash
A Saltire-wearing fan holds two steins of beer in Munich today
Scotland fans have taken over most of the square in the centre of Munich
Scotland’s soccer team fans drink beer in ‘Marienplatz’ square next to the town hall
An impromptu football game breaks out among the assembled supporters
Scotland fans at Marienplatz central square today
A fan wears a tartan bucket hat and holds a stein of lager as another cheers on
Scottish fans were in good spirits with the Germans ahead of the opening clash
While the atmosphere has been overwhelming good natured, things briefly turned ugly last night when a fight broke – with footage showing thugs throwing chairs. Two Scottish supporters were arrested
A piper plays a tune among a group of Scotland fans in Munich today
Scotland fans drinking beer in the main square of Munich today
A boy plays football on Marienplatz – Munich’s ancient central square
Scotland supporters were a noisy presence in the Bavarian capital today
A veteran of a great many Scotland football travel adventures over the years, Mr Lawson, knew there would be high demand for in-flight refreshments as the chartered Polish plane departed Inverness airport for Munich.
‘So I suggested that they stock up with four cans per passenger – otherwise they would run out by row three or four,’ he said.
‘Unfortunately, aviation rules mean our Tartan Army guests would not be able to bring their own carry-outs on board.
‘We knew there would be a bit of a party mood among our Highland Tartan Army travellers so we put in a request that the airline stocks up on double its usual amount of beer for the trip.’
Packages for a one-way flight to the Bavarian capital started at £399, return flights at £795, with full match ticket, flight and hotel deals costing up to £4,200.
For those who have booked a return flight, it will leave on June 24 from Stuttgart Airport.
And there was a surprise for one ticketless fan on the flight.
‘I had a last minute cancellation from a guy who was ill, so I will pick a deserving fan on the flight. The ticket will be sold at face value. They are category one tickets costing Euros 600,’ said Mr Lawson.
‘I think this will be the first Scottish team to qualify from the group stages and I think we will beat Germany 2-1. The Highland Roar will be heard in Germany for sure. If we reach the last four we will try and charter another plane.’
One Tartan Army supporter who is travelling to Germany for Scotland’s first game in Munich has a particularly personal reason for doing so.
It was a beautiful day in Munich despite forecasts for rain
Scotland fans enjoying cans of Euros branded beer in Munich central square
There was a mix of ages among the Scotland supporters in Munich
This fan had brought a bottle of Buckfast along to complement the local brews
Scotland fans jump and sing in Munich central square today
Scotland face Germany tonight in the first match of the tournament
This man was certainly making the most of Bavarian hospitality
A piper plays on Marienplatz in Munich today
Ally Brown, 41, who lives in Haddington, East Lothian, was given a bone marrow transplant by a German donor 25 years ago when he was aged 16.
Prior to that, he had four years of treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia – a type of blood cancer – which had reoccurred three times.
He said: ‘It’s dead exciting we are playing against Germany in the tournament opener and I’m so lucky to have a ticket, I can’t wait.
‘My blood is 100% German so the country will always be close to my heart. But I’ll be shouting and singing for Scotland on Friday night.’
Mr Brown received a bone marrow transplant from a German woman through stem cell charity Anthony Nolan, which was founded in 1974.
It matches donors and patients and was set up by Shirley Nolan to find a match for her son, Anthony, who had a rare blood disorder.
A Scotland fan dressed in a kilt waves a Saltire in Munich
Some supporters had special flags made for the occasion
Scotland fans in the centre of Munich today
A group of Scotland fans leave Glasgow Airport for Germany this morning
A steady stream of Tartan Army supporters has been pouring into the airport throughout the day
Paul Malik was in Glasgow Airport today and tweeted that the terminal’s Tennent’s bar had run out of the lager by 9am
X user Chris McCall added: ‘I’m told it was the same at Edinburgh airport last night. An angry pal was left drinking Stella’
A piper leads chants in Munich after the Tartan Army descended on the city for tomorrow’s Euros opener
Supporters were in good voice as they attend Scotland’s second major tournament since the 1998 World Cup in France
Back home, thirsty Brits are expected to down 300million pints of beer during the Euros.
And the figure could be even higher if England or Scotland reach the final on July 14.
The British Beer and Pub Association forecast that we will spend at least £1.4million on booze during the month-long competition.
Londoners are predicted to spend £120 each on booze, with folk in Manchester lashing out £92 and Southampton residents £91.
The Government has said pubs will be allowed to stay open until 1am if either England or Scotland reach the semis or the finals.
Ally Brown, 41, has a particularly personal reason for travelling to Germany – he was given a bone marrow transplant by a German donor 25 years ago when he was aged 16
