Scotland fans, known as the Tartan Army, gathered on a massive party boat in Miami on Wednesday to calm their nerves ahead of the nation's biggest football match in decades against Brazil. Supporters soaked up the atmosphere in the 'sunshine state' before boarding coaches to the Hard Rock Stadium for the World Cup clash.
Fans Cool Off in Relentless Heat
With temperatures showing no sign of easing, fans cooled off with early beers by the pool before heading to the arena at around 2pm local time, four hours before kick-off. Many were clearing the cobwebs after a night of partying in the iconic city. Thousands joined a huge march down Ocean Drive on South Beach before returning to Bayfront Park for a four-hour booze cruise.
North East Tartan Army chief Chris Gibson, who organised the trip, said: "We had a long lie in this morning after two boat parties on Tuesday. One started at 12-2pm, then we had another at 5pm. We had the first boat organised for ages then we had to book the second due to popular demand. We then headed to a Miami Heat draft game in the basketball after that and they invited us on to meet some of the players, which was amazing."
1,500 Beers Consumed on First Boat
Gibson, a landscaping boss who has organised numerous booze cruises for Scotland trips across Europe, revealed the scale of the party: "We drank 70 cases of beer on the first boat alone, which was 1,500 beers which wasn't too bad for that early in the day." He also disclosed plans for another party boat if Scotland qualifies from their group: "If we get through to the knock-outs and end up playing Germany back in Boston, we've already got another one lined up. We will get some Germans on the boat, we'll get some locals on too - it will be superb."
Gibson expressed confidence in the team: "I honestly think we are going to do it tonight. I've had this feeling before, but the players need this moment. They deserve this after all that they have given us. We don't want to have to wait to find out if we have qualified. We want to all have that moment together, so I really hope they can do it for themselves - and for the fans too."
Fans Share Their Experiences
Ally Webster, 59, from Thurso and a member of the Top Joe's Tartan Army, enjoyed the cruise. He said: "We've been having a superb time, America has made us feel very welcome. We've loved it. We went up to Nashville for a few days and broke up the journey, which was absolutely superb. We loved the boat party as well - nothing like a free bar on a booze cruise to settle the nerves! I'm certain we are going to get a result against Brazil."
Martin Nicholson, 56, who runs industrial equipment supplier Blargoans Ltd in Dunnet, said: "We've had an excellent time in Miami. We've been checking out the Little Havana area and we enjoyed the march to the baseball stadium which was excellent, absolutely brilliant. We did the boat party as well which was fantastic. Chris and the lads did a great job as usual. We joined them up and down the Mersey ahead of the Ivory Coast friendly in March, but this was on another level. We now have a bus picking us up from our hotel to drive us out to the stadium at 2pm so we will do a car lot party before the game - then we will beat Brazil and we will party through the night!"
Piper Adds to Carnival Atmosphere
Bob Bell, a 39-year-old accountant from Thurso, was piping at both the march to the Miami Marlins on Monday and down at South Beach on Tuesday. "It's been absolutely amazing," he said. "The Latino culture meets Tartan Army Culture - it's been really good. The marches were amazing. It was hot, but what a buzz. There were loads of press there, loads of locals enjoying it, and loads of Tartan Army. Wherever we go we bring our culture and people embrace it - it's what the Tartan Army is all about. We're just going to have a few beers at the hotel before the game now, chill out at the pool then we've got a bus organised up to the game. I'm confident we are going to get a 1-1 and get out the group. I think we will get out regardless. I think our one win will arguably be enough, but I hope the players don't see it that way. With game day now here and the atmosphere building - I think we are going to be up for it."
Scotland fans turned South Beach into a sea of tartan during the colourful march on Tuesday afternoon. Local police closed off the road for the event and joined the carnival atmosphere. The march lasted around half an hour and ended on the sand, where fans belted out an emotional rendition of Flower of Scotland.
Twenty-year-old piper Callum Bain, a music student and member of the Troon Caledonia pipe band, jumped into the sea after the march to play tunes from the water. He said: "The march was really good fun. It was hot, but brilliant. We played all the traditional chants, Scotland the Brave, the national anthem, and all the traditional football chants. We are now just looking forward to the match tomorrow. We are going to the game, I'm hoping for a 1-1 draw. We need to get a point at least!" His father Stefan, 50, a police officer from Kilmarnock, added: "To see my son piping on Miami beach and to share the world cup experience with him is what dreams are made of."
City Alive with Scotland Fans
Everywhere in Miami, fans in kilts and Scotland tops were seen, with cheers of "We've got McGinn" echoing. David Carty, 41, from Stornoway, who runs a garden centre, said: "Miami has been amazing, the people have been so welcoming. It's been fantastic. We were a bit worried after Boston that this could be an anti-climax, but it's been fantastic. We had the party boat on Tuesday night then straight into the GBX party. It's been crazy. I've got a ticket for the match now and we're really looking forward to it. The whole city is alive with the Scotland fans."
Gordie MacKenzie, a 41-year-old plumber from Lochs on the Isle of Lewis, added: "We've had 26 hours with no sleep, so we're doing alright so far! I'd be absolutely delighted with a 1-1 draw, that would do me nicely."
