The Tartan Army has decided to give back to Boston charities after drinking their pubs dry and drastically increasing revenue.
Fans of Scotland’s national team, also known as the Tartan Army, have taken over the New England area for their team’s first two matches in the 2026 World Cup. Local bars have reported “triple” the number of sales since their arrival.
In their first act of kindness, the fans were picking up after themselves. They followed that up with thousands of dollars of donations to local organizations.
“If we can help ease the pain, it’ll make their life a little bit better, why shouldn’t we help out in some way?” a member of the Tartan Army said in an interview with ITV News’ Peter Smith. “I hope that message spreads as well. It’s that simple.”
The tradition of donating to their hosts communities spans two decades as the army follows Scotland all over the world.
The Tartan Army visited Hasbro Children’s Hospital in Providence, Rhode Island, where they later donated $10,000 for cancer research. Sarah Frost, the hospital’s president, even met up with the fans to personally thank them for the five-figure donation.
“The energy, the excitement, the love, the passion that you all bring, you know Providence is a smaller community, but you have won the hearts and minds of everyone here,” Frost told the fan in the interview.
“Job done,” the fan replied with a smile.
The fans made their next stop at Horizons for Homeless Children in Roxbury, a Boston neighborhood. Members of the army toured the center, played bagpipes for the children, and capped it off with a $1,200 contribution.
“All we were seeking to do was to come with the Tartan Army, spread a little peace, hope, and goodwill and make a difference to the American people,” a Tartan Army “soldier” told NBC10 Boston.
Scotland’s last match in Boston takes place June 19, 2026, against Morocco. The Tartan Army will follow the national team to Miami for their final group stage match, where they will surely continue the tradition of donations and drinking bars dry.