Boston pub raided by Tartan Army says visiting Scotland fans are 'the highlight of the business'
‘I’ve never been round so much positive energy before in my life,’ said the Boston pub owner.
The owner of a Boston pub that has become one of the Tartan Army’s favourite watering holes during the World Cup said the visiting Scots have been the highlight of his time running the place in eight years.
Jeff Baird, who has Scottish roots, owns the White Bull Tavern in Union Street, a corner of the US city that has been alive with predominantly Scotland fans since Steve Clarke’s team played their first World Cup game in 28 years last week.
The sound of bagpipes have been ringing out in front of the venue, drowned out every few minutes by the rolling roar of Scotland football chants throughout the day and night.
Despite the fans drinking his pub dry at one point, Mr Baird, beaming from ear to ear, said the experience of the Tartan Army invasion has been “so much fun.”
Speaking to The Scotsman as festivities build up again ahead of the Scotland Morocco game, the pub owner said: “I expected it to be busy but not this much fun.
“They have just been great. The energy is great, the dancing the chanting. Everyone has been helpful, we’ve had no problems. I’ve never been round so much positive energy in my life.”
Scotland fans drank the pub dry on Sunday but it was quickly resolved after a delivery was made on Monday.
“I have tripled the order,” Mr Baird laughed.
“We sorted three orders; one Monday, one on Wednesday and another one on Friday.”
Mr Baird said a reason the pub became a chosen place for the Tartan Army was after meeting Scottish musicians David Quinn and Nick Morgan on board who have both written bespoke songs for Scotland’s place in the World Cup this year, including the regularly bellowed No Scotland No Party.
“Nick Morgan was here playing in the window,” he said.
“We’ve been really lucky and fortunate to have those guys support us and putting us out there.”
But a star much closer to home has also been keeping the energy going at the White Bull Tavern.
Local comedian Matt McArthur was drafted in to play music to the Tartan Army after Mr Baird learned he could play the pipes.
“He did some comedy here two weeks ago and part of the joke was him being a bagpiped so I went to him and asked: ‘Are you really a bagpiper? Can I hire you when Scotland’s here’ and he said ‘absolutely’.”
Mr McArthur, from Quincy, a couple of miles from Boston, said he is supporting Scotland in the World Cup.
When asked what it has been like playing the pipes to the army of Scotland fans, he said: “Fun. I can’t even hear my bagpipes over the singing but it’s still fun.”
The comedian said he is regularly asked to play classics, including Scotland the Brave and Flower of Scotland.
He added: “Boston has never been like this before. I’ve never seen any event in Boston that has done this before, it’s really incredible.
“I think the whole city was dry of Tennent’s at one point. I helped a little bit.
“I think Boston is going to remember this time for a very long time.”
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