COLOGNE, Germany (Reuters) - Tens of thousands of kilt-wearing, beer-swilling Scottish soccer fans turned central Cologne into a suburb of Glasgow before bagpipers led a joyous procession to the stadium for their Euro 2024 clash with Switzerland on Wednesday.
The Tartan Army has been out in force since the start of the tournament, drinking industrial quantities of German ale and going through their hit-list of songs.
"No Scotland, no party", has become the familiar soundtrack and they cranked up the decibel level on Wednesday with the biggest gathering of kilts yet, with estimates of 100,000 Scots descending on Cologne.
Thousands massed outside Cologne's cathedral, some kicking beach balls high into the air while the majority drank bottled beer carted into the square in crates.
Scotland have not appeared at the World Cup since 1998 and although they did qualify for Euro 2020, two of their games were in Glasgow and one at Wembley as COVID-19 restrictions put a dampener on the usual Tartan Army party.
Which is why when Steve Clarke's team wrapped up qualification for the Germany showpiece with two games remaining, the kilts and sporrans could be packed and plans for a summer of "fitba, fun and beer" began in earnest.
Estimates vary, but as many as 250,000 Scots are said to have travelled to Germany, the majority without match tickets.
Many of those flocked to Cologne dressed in ceremonial costume while Tartan Army veteran Henry Ferry sported a hat covered in pins of matches he has attended in 34 years following Scotland around the world.
It is almost impossible to board a train or tram in any major German city without being in the company of a Scot over the past week. Asked whether there was anyone left at home, Ferry, whose son has joined him for his first tour, quipped: "My wife! She has to work."
After a 5-1 thrashing by Germany in their opening game, defeat by Switzerland would most likely mean Scotland fail again to reach the knockout stages of a tournament.
"Win, lose or draw the party will continue," Ferry said. "You won't get rid of us that easily! It's been magnificent so far. Everywhere we go it's been a party and fans of other countries have been brilliant. Even the Austrians were singing No Scotland No Party with us the other night."
As kickoff approached, a heaving blue mass of humanity clambered on to trains out towards the start of the official Fan Walk and right on cue the West Highlands-style rain and clouds that had buffeted Germany over the first week made way for summer sunshine.
Led by 100 or so pipers and drummers, more than 10,000 of the Tartan Army marched the final 1.7km to the Cologne Stadium through quiet leafy streets with bemused locals hanging out of windows to photograph the spectacle.
(Reporting by Martyn Herman, editing by Ed Osmond)
