Tartan Army descend on Cologne as thousands explore stunning city ahead of Switzerland crunch

Scotland fans have descended on Cologne to explore the stunning city ahead of a crunch match against Switzerland on Wednesday night.

The tartan takeover began on Sunday as thousands of supporters piled off of trains at the city's central station. By morning throngs of tourists were milling around the area around the historic Cologne Cathedral.

It was a dull and rainy day but the Scots were used to that, as they threw on rain macs over their strips and headed out to take in the culture.

Retired bricklayer Brian Hamilton, 66, and his wife Shona, from Alva in Clackmannanshire, were one on one of the first trains to arrive in the city on Sunday night.

Shona, 56, who works in retail security, said: "We had a few drinks and a bite to eat when we arrived and we travelled back into the city today to check out the fan zone. The city is beautiful - but we've brought the weather with us. We've just been checking out the cathedral. It's been a fantastic trip so far. We're going to watch the Scotland game from the fan zone on Wednesday. I think we can get a result and get out of the group."

Nearby Gordon Ireland, 52, a pension manager from Edinburgh, had just arrived. The 52-year-old said: "It's been a fantastic trip. There's been no nonsense, a brilliant atmosphere and this is a cracking city. We're just going to dump the bags off at our hotel now and then get out and enjoy.

"The Swiss will be up for it too, they enjoy a party. Usually Scotland play our best in the second game of the competition so I'm still fancying our chances."

Fans told the Record they were spending non games exploring nearby cities and towns. Iain Sharkey, from Hamilton, was en route to Dortmund.

The 46-year-old NHS worker said: "We are making the most of our time here by getting a train to Dortmund to visit the stadium. We've had great fun so far in Cologne, it's a fantastic city."

Tracey Cassidy, who also works for the NHS, was wearing her poncho as she prepared to brave the weather with her husband Stuart, 58 and works in recycling. The 57-year-old, from Dundee, said: "We've had an amazing time. We stayed one night in Frankfurt then travelled up to Munich on Friday morning.

"The German people are lovely. They've been so helpful and friendly. We got the train through to Cologne last night and this afternoon we are going to explore the cathedral and do some sightseeing then meet up with some Scotland fans later tonight."

Eddie Dunkerley, who is from Wormit in Fife and works in internet business, was chatting to the media outside the station with his pal Rob Morrish, 43, from Newton Mearns.

Eddie, 43, said: "It's been a fantastic experience. Apart from the three hours around the game everything else has been great. We've been staying in Frankfurt and have just arrived in Cologne off the train. It's a really impressive city. I've heard a lot about the cathedral, it's obviously the key landmark so we're going to take in the sights, have a couple of sing songs and enjoy ourselves before the game on Wednesday."

Barry Brown, 52, a graphic designer from Old Kilpatrick in West Dunbartonshire, said: "We're heading to the train station now to book tickets to Dusseldorf to watch Austria V France at their fan zone. Cologne has been excellent. We've just been out for a big walk getting our steps in.

"Nice Scottish weather here today too which has been lovely. It's really made us feel at home. We're looking forward to the game on Wednesday. As the days go by I'm feeling more optimistic we can still get a result and get out the group."

Elsewhere, down by the fan zone, Chander Singh - a courier driver from Glasgow - told the Record he had been saving up all year for his trip across to Germany. The 64-year-old met his friend Ranjit Kaur, who lives in Cologne and was showing him around the city.

He said: "I'm self-employed so I've been working hard all year for this. We've been here for four days and it's been a fantastic experience. Obviously apart from the result but the German people have looked after everyone really well and we're looking forward to the match on Wednesday.

"The Scottish fans have been amazing too, everyone has been looking after each other. Hopefully we can get a result on Wednesday and we can carry on and stay here for a wee bit longer. While we've been here we've been exploring the city and tomorrow we have a boat tour down the Rein and we're going to go on the zip wire too."

Alter Markt is in the centre of the city with a number of pubs and eateries and the square was busy with Scotland fans watching the football on Sunday night. On Monday Calum McCall was there playing football with his friends Jack Wardle, 11, and Cooper Ross, 14.

The lads, from Hamilton, have been loving their trip to Germany and Calum, 14, said: "We were in Munich last week which was amazing. We spent a lot of time in the Marienplatz, the atmosphere was really nice there. We arrived in Cologne yesterday night and we are staying near the airport. It's a good city but I preferred Munich.

"I think we still have a chance of getting through the group. It all depends how the team reacts to Friday night. I think we can get a win. Come on Scotland!"

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