The 'No Boston No Party' traffic cone, which became a viral sensation during the World Cup, has arrived in Boston as an official gift from Scotland fans, symbolising the friendship between the two cities.
Scots Andrew Dobbie and BBC Scotland's Home of the Year presenter Danny Campbell flew to the US with the cone for a special ceremony. The cone was placed on a pedestal as the city's mayor, Michelle Wu, and Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey signed it, while a Scottish Saltire was raised above the ceremony. Governor Healey summed up the moment, saying: 'Welcome home.'
From Glasgow statue to Boston pedestal
The cone originated when Andrew Dobbie, unable to travel to the US for the World Cup, painted 'Boston' on a traffic cone and placed it atop Glasgow's famous Duke of Wellington statue. The image went viral, capturing the spirit of the Tartan Army, who had won over Boston locals during their stay in the city.
A heartwarming video captured the arrival of the two Scotsmen with the cone to rapturous applause. Addressing the crowd, Danny Campbell reflected on the cone's significance: 'It's an in-joke that's gone too far. It's not a joke actually, this is a metaphor for life. ... This is not just a silly cone. We're all not actually sure why we're celebrating this thing but it means love and that is the whole point to life.'
Official gift and city tour
Mayor Michelle Wu had previously announced that Boston would receive the cone as an official gift, saying: 'I'm being told that there is an official... gift, repatriating the cone that is on the Duke of Wellington's horse that says 'Boston' on it is being officially flown back as a gift to the city of Boston.'
Both Wu and Healey invited Andrew and Danny to take the cone on a celebratory tour of the city. The pair will spend seven days in Boston with the cone, visiting local sights. Fans can track their journey via a tracking chip in the cone on their website, Bostoncone.com. Andrew thanked everyone who made the trip possible: 'It's all about love so thank you so much. Everyone in Boston has been so welcoming.'
