Hundreds of Scotland’s Tartan Army fans stormed Miami’s loanDepot Park on Monday night, chanting “No Marlins, no party” before a raucous Miami game that left both players and locals stunned by their energy — a spectacle that now has the group poised to bring the same fervor to Wednesday’s World Cup showdown against Brazil.
Why the Tartan Army’s Miami takeover was more than just a baseball game
Scotland’s die-hard supporters, known as the Tartan Army, didn’t just attend a baseball game in Miami on June 17. They turned it into a full-blown celebration of their own, with more than 8,000 fans buying tickets to cheer on the Miami Marlins against the Texas Rangers. The group’s arrival in South Florida wasn’t just about watching a game—it was a carefully orchestrated march from Little Havana’s Ball & Chain to loanDepot Park, complete with bagpipers, chants, and a foul ball caught in the stands. For the Marlins, it was an unexpected but welcome distraction after a 4-3 loss to Texas.
“That was a very raucous environment, especially early on with the chants,” Marlins manager Clayton McCullough told MLB.com. “It was great. We’re all proud to have been hosts for an incredible evening.”
The Tartan Army’s presence in Miami is part of a larger journey across the U.S. as Scotland prepares for its World Cup match against Brazil on Wednesday at Miami Stadium. Their arrival in Miami follows a similar takeover in Boston, where they left an indelible mark by placing traffic cones on the heads of statues—a tradition dating back to Glasgow’s 1990s European Capital of Culture celebrations. In Boston, the group crowned statues of Samuel Adams, Bill Russell, and Mayor Kevin White with orange cones, turning the city into a temporary tartan-themed playground.
“It’s amazing. The atmosphere is great,” Glasgow native Thomas Forsyth told MLB.com. “I don’t know if it’s because we’re here. I hope it’s like this every week.”
A march, a game, and a culture clash
The Tartan Army’s Miami march began at 2 p.m. on Monday, with fans gathering at Ball & Chain in Little Havana before trekking 1.5 miles to loanDepot Park. The group’s energy was palpable, with bagpiper Sean Downie—an Aberdeen native—leading the procession in a Scotland jersey and red kilt. Downie, who had never attended a baseball game before, admitted his knowledge of the sport was limited. “I know pitching, batting, and you catch it and outs, but that is about it,” he laughed.
Yet that didn’t stop the fans from embracing the experience. Every pitch from Marlins starter Tyler Phillips drew cheers, and the group even caught a foul ball off Jake Burger’s swing in the sixth inning. Phillips, clearly moved by their enthusiasm, told MLB.com: “I love energy, man, like Scotland, the Tartan Army. If I were in charge, I’d pay them to show up to games. They’re unbelievable fans.”
For Victoria Campbell, an Irvine native who spent over 30 hours traveling to Miami, the trip was about more than just the game. “Baseball is just a massive American tradition,” she told MLB.com. “The fans seemed crazy, Scotland fans are crazy, so we just wanted to come. It has been absolutely awesome so far.”
The group’s presence in Miami isn’t just about supporting Scotland in the World Cup—it’s about experiencing American culture firsthand. Their journey from Boston to Miami has been a whirlwind of interactions, from locals welcoming them with open arms to the sheer excitement of being part of a global sporting event.
From Boston’s traffic cones to Miami’s stadium takeover
The Tartan Army’s antics in Boston set the tone for their U.S. tour. In the lead-up to Scotland’s World Cup matches, fans placed traffic cones on the heads of statues across the city, including those of Samuel Adams, Bill Russell, and Mayor Kevin White. The tradition, which originated in Glasgow, has become a signature of the group’s travels.
“It’s a bit different, but as you can see with the march and the atmosphere, it’s starting to feel like a football match, or soccer as you call it,” Downie told MLB.com, capturing the group’s ability to adapt to new environments while keeping their signature energy intact.
In Miami, that energy translated into a full-blown stadium takeover. The group’s arrival was so significant that the Marlins confirmed they had purchased more than 8,000 tickets for the game, according to NBC 6 South Florida. Their itinerary included a pre-game performance by Nick Morgan singing “No Scotland No Party,” an on-field parade, and a ceremonial first pitch by Scotland midfielder Billy Gilmour.
What comes next: Scotland’s World Cup showdown and the Tartan Army’s legacy
With Scotland facing Brazil in their final group-stage match on Wednesday, the Tartan Army’s energy will be front and center. The group’s ability to turn any event into a celebration—whether it’s a baseball game or a World Cup match—has made them a global phenomenon. Their presence in Miami is a reminder of how sports can bring people together, regardless of the game being played.
For the Marlins, the experience was a welcome distraction after a tough loss. For the Tartan Army, it was another chapter in their journey across the U.S., proving that their passion for Scotland knows no borders. As they prepare to face Brazil, one thing is clear: the Tartan Army’s legacy is far from over.
“Everyone has been so lovely,” Forsyth said. “It’s amazing. The atmosphere is great.” And with the World Cup on the line, that atmosphere is only set to grow louder.
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