FIFA World Cup 2026 Visitors Wake Street with Bagpipes

An American homeowner in Massachusetts got an unexpected early-morning wake-up call after a group of Scottish football supporters staying in a nearby Airbnb began playing bagpipes at 6:30 a.m.

The fans, members of Scotland’s famous “Tartan Army,” arrived at the rental property late Wednesday night and quickly transformed it into a Scottish outpost, decorating it with national flags and bunting. The following morning, residents were treated to a traditional bagpipe performance outside the house.

Mike Morrison, a Boston-area hospital communications director who lives across the street, shared a video of the scene on social media. The footage showed several Scottish supporters gathered outside, including one man in a kilt taking photos while another played the bagpipes. A large Scottish flag hung from an upstairs window, with additional decorations lining the front fence.

Rather than being annoyed by the early start, Morrison embraced the festive atmosphere. He said he welcomed the visitors “whole-heartedly” and described the gathering as bringing “positive vibes only.”

Adding to the fun, Morrison posted a meme from the film Braveheart, joking that he was struggling to resist crossing the street to join the Scots for daytime drinks.

While some social media users suggested he should complain about the noise, and several Scots offered apologies on behalf of their countrymen, Morrison reassured everyone that no apology was needed. He did, however, jokingly ask Airbnb for a ticket to Scotland’s opening World Cup match as compensation.

The supporters are among tens of thousands of Scottish fans who have traveled to the United States for Scotland’s first World Cup appearance in 28 years. Around 30,000 supporters are believed to have tickets for Scotland’s matches, while thousands more have made the trip simply to be part of the occasion.

In recent days, Boston has seen large gatherings of Scottish fans celebrating in pubs and bars throughout the city. Videos shared online have shown crowds singing, dancing, and waving Scottish flags ahead of the tournament.

Back in Scotland, supporters received a memorable send-off at Edinburgh Airport, where pipers, drummers, and Highland dancers escorted departing fans through the terminal. Around 100 travelers were treated to performances by musicians from the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, creating a festive atmosphere before their flights.

Edinburgh Airport chief executive Gordon Dewar praised the Tartan Army’s reputation and said the airport wanted to mark Scotland’s long-awaited return to football’s biggest stage with a special celebration.

Among those traveling to support the national team is Scotland’s First Minister, John Swinney. While a small number of fans have reported issues with travel authorization applications, most supporters have arrived in the United States without difficulty.

One particularly memorable journey saw Scottish fan Christopher Currie purchase four tickets to Scotland’s opening match while flying at 34,000 feet using in-flight Wi-Fi, telling media he was “absolutely buzzing” after securing seats.

Scotland will begin its World Cup campaign against Haiti in Foxborough, Massachusetts, with thousands of traveling supporters expected to create a vibrant atmosphere as the team returns to the tournament after a 28-year absence.