The Tartan Army have been enjoying a taste of home in Boston as supporters soaked up the atmosphere at the city's only Scottish boozer.
Our fans have well and truly descended on Boston - with up to 30,000 people believed to have arrived from over the pond in the last few days ahead of the kick off against Haiti on Saturday night.
With the city’s population expected to swell by around three per cent, Tennent’s Lager shipped over extra beer to help meet the influx of folk who will be calling the city home over the next 10 days.
The beer is being served at a Boston pub owned by a Scot who has lived in the US since 1998 - the same year Scotland last qualified for the World Cup.
Jason Waddleton who runs The Haven - the only Scottish bar in the city - told the Record: "I'm originally from Glasgow and when I moved over here I wanted to open a Scottish bar. I was always wanting to do that.
"When the draw was made and we found out there was going to be two games in Boston, it was unbelievable. I was looking forward to a draw. I had my fingers crossed. Then, of course, when it came out, it was a mixture of 10 Christmases as once - but also the fear. Knowing that it was going to be a crazy time.
"It's been good, though. Everyone's been great - lovely people. We couldn't ask for more. What's even more amazing is that my new home is the place where Scotland returns to the biggest stage, and I'm getting to introduce fellow Scots to our American cousins over a pint of Tennent's. It's crazy."
As the Record headed down to the boozer to check out the vibes, we were met with dozens of Scots guzzling the popular national lager over 3,000 miles from home.
The Haven ordered an extra 120 kegs of the beer - over 15,000 pints - from Tennent’s home city of Glasgow in preparation for the World Cup. Fans flooded in from around lunchtime before watching the tournament's opening match between Mexico and South Africa.
At half-time and after the final whistle the bar boss had even arranged a piper, Iain MacGillvray, to play for the delighted revellers. Asked to sum up the atmosphere after the match, the 39-year-old musician from Tain, in the Highlands, told the Record: "It's been absolutely magic. It's been absolutely brilliant soaking up the vibe. Just going around with the pipes has been awesome.
"We've been hired in to be the entertainment - the house band for 10 days, comprising both the games. It's been a real buzz. People are buzzing to be here and they've been loving the pipes."
Many Scotland fans are expected to base themselves at The Haven for the next 10 days and there will also be ticketed Football Festival events at the bar on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
