Tartan Army announce Euro 2024 arrival in Munich with sea of colour and 11am steins

The Tartan Army announced their Euro 2024 arrival in Munich with a sea of colour and 11am steins in the sun. Scotland fans dressed in kilts and kitted out in the national team's colours flooded into the city centre early doors to soak up the atmosphere on Wednesday morning.

Despite earlier forecasts for a wash out the clouds cleared as fans began packing out the many beer gardens in the Marienplatz, in the heart of the city. The stunning central square has been the city's main square since 1158 and was an ideal meeting point for many Scots who had arrived in Germany early.

Adam Shepherd and his pals Josh Mcclelland, 30, Mark Paterson, 30, and Mark Keye, 32 had travelled from Tillicoultry in Clackmannanshire. Adam, 31, who works as a joiner, told the Record: "It feels amazing to be here. We've dreamed about it for ages and now we are finally here. It's incredible.

Adam Shephard, Josh McClellan, Mark Patterson and Mark Kaye on the early steins
Adam Shephard, Josh McClellan, Mark Patterson and Mark Kaye on the early steins -Credit:Ross Turpie / Daily Record

"We flew via London on Tuesday night and arrived at 11pm before heading straight out on the beers with the Scotland fans."

As the four held up their steins, Adam added: "We're a bit rough today but we'll feel a lot better once we get these down us. We've got tickets for the game on Friday but before then we are just going to soak up the atmosphere, sing a few Scotland songs and make the most of it."

Adam Shephard
Adam Shephard -Credit:Ross Turpie / Daily Record

Keith Work and his wife Julie were getting pictures in the square with their son Adam, 9, when they were approached by the Record.

Keith, 45, said: "It just feels amazing to be here. We don't know if we'll be able to have another trip like this for a long time so we decided we had to be here to experience the atmosphere.

"We were in Amsterdam for a few days and just arrived in Munich this morning. It's been amazing to see so many Scotland fans here already. The first people we saw at the hotel were Scots. We've really taken over.

"We haven't got tickets for the game but we're really looking forward to watching it from the fan zone.

"We are feeling quite nervous but I think we could get a draw."

Julie and Keith Work with son Adam
Julie and Keith Work with son Adam -Credit:Ross Turpie / Daily Record

Little Adam, who was delighted to miss a few days of school to make the trip across, added: "I think if we are lucky we can get a win. Ryan Christie is going to get the winner."

Across the other side of the square was Matthew Clachner, Josh Mcrae, 28, PJ Cowe, 32 and Dylan Marshall, 22, who were fresh off the plane after travelling from Peterhead.

Matthew Clachner
Matthew Clachner -Credit:Ross Turpie / Daily Record

The group were sat with a huge flag of Scott McTominay and smiles plastered across their faces as they guzzled some early beers.

Matthew, 21, told the Record: "In most of our lifetimes we have never had a chance to travel abroad for a tournament so it's new for us all. We've been buzzing ever since we qualified so actually finally be here, it's pretty surreal."

Germans who were dotted around the square were desperate to get pictures with the Scots and as we got a picture of the four pals together, one local jumped up from behind and cheered them as he shouted 'Welcome Scotland!'.

A couple of hours later they'd made friends with a piper and were seen linked arm in arm singing 'We've got super John McGinn'.

Meanwhile Barry Glass, from Mauchline in Ayrshire, travelled across on his own for a couple of days before linking up with his pals on Thursday.

Barry Glass
Barry Glass -Credit:Ross Turpie / Daily Record

The 47-year-old, who owns a carpet fitting shop, was dressed in a kilt and told the Record: "I've never seen so many people that want to get their photo taken with a man in a kilt. I've been approached by so many Germans looking for pictures. Everybody just loves the Scots.

"I've had a great couple of days. I've just been eating sausages and drinking beer - it's been ideal. My pals arrive tomorrow and that's when we'll go hell for leather before heading to the match on Friday."

Meanwhile, a short walk from the Marienplatz at Munich's central station, retired finance worker Ian Mitchell, 58 and his pal Graeme McCausland had just arrived off a train from Austria.

Ian Mitchell and Graeme McCausland
Ian Mitchell and Graeme McCausland -Credit:Ross Turpie / Daily Record

Ian, from Bridge of Allan, told the Record: "We have just come in from Linz where we had spent three amazing days interspersed with a trip up to the Budvar brewery up in the Czech Republic.

"We had also spent a couple of days up in Vienna with our wives so it was nice to get a little bit of proper culture before the beer culture.

"We're just going to find a nice beer garden now to spend the afternoon. We've got tickets for all three games too so we are pretty excited for it all.

"I think we've got a good chance of getting through the group, and then you never know what could happen from there."

Fraser Campbell, Michael Azarahar and Struan Campbell with Eva Herrmann and Hayley Kaflowitz from Leipzig
Fraser Campbell, Michael Azarahar and Struan Campbell with Eva Herrmann and Hayley Kaflowitz from Leipzig -Credit:Ross Turpie / Daily Record

Fraser Campbell, 23, Michael Azarahar, 21, and Struan Campbell, 20, had travelled from Howwood in Renfrewshire and as they sat with a carry out around a waterfall at Marienplatz, they were joined by a number of tourists and locals.

Fraser said: "It's absolute amazing. It's been unbelievable today, the longer we've been sitting here the more people have been arriving singing Scotland songs.

"It's all just such a big build up before a crescendo on Friday. We just can't wait for it."

Michael added: "The Germans have been absolutely lovely. The hospitality has been amazing. Everyone has been so welcoming and when we've explained why we are here they've all been desperate to get a photo with you."

Meanwhile, Eva Herrmann - who had travelled from her home in Leipzig - joined the trio for a beer and added: "The Scotland fans are amazing. They love their beer and there is so much pride. Where is the German pride?! The Scots are doing it best!"

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