Is the Tartan Army visiting Dunedin? Social media chatter sparks talk of Scottish visit
Social media chatter about potential Tartan Army visit
Dunedin leaders and business owners prepared Thursday for a potential visit from the Tartan Army, supporters of the Scotland national football team. FOX 13's Kailey Tracy reports.
DUNEDIN, Fla. - Social media chatter sparked excitement in Dunedin after posts from a local Scottish group and the governor suggested the Scotland national football team's supporters might visit the city.
Dunedin soccer rumors
What we know:
The New World Celts Dunedin Chapter posted an invitation Wednesday night asking the Tartan Army soccer fans to visit. The governor also reposted an X user claiming the fans were "allegedly making its way up from Miami to Dunedin," calling it a "fitting stop."
Local businesses, including Flanagan's Irish Pub, prepared for the crowds Thursday while the city welcomed the group on Facebook. Late Thursday afternoon, the Tartan Army announced on social media that most fans are heading home, because Dunedin is too far from Miami.
Business crowd preparations
What they're saying:
"Early this morning, all the owners [of downtown businesses], we’re on a group text doing all the things we needed to prepare," Jason Seibert, the owner of Flanagan's Irish Pub and Rosie’s Tavern, said Thursday afternoon. "We have a lot of people scheduled to come in. So, we have plenty of staff, and then we've talked to the beer companies to make sure that they know that when we run out of beer, bring it from the warehouse."
Alan McHale, the director of Scottish American Society of Dunedin, expressed hope but realism before the update.
"We would love the Tartan Army to come through Dunedin," McHale said. "What more appropriate time would there be for that to happen? But we think it's unlikely, and if it's like Brigadoon, and it happens once in a lifetime, we would love it to be here."
Heritage and history
The backstory:
Scottish merchants founded Dunedin in the 1800s, naming it after the Scottish Gaelic word for Edinburgh. The city maintains strong ties to its heritage through its sister city relationship with Stirling, Scotland, its pipe bands and the annual Highland Games.
"We're always very proud of our Scottish heritage here," Robert Peirson, the founder of the New World Celts and past president of the Scottish American Society, said. "We're very happy with the way Dunedin has embraced our Scottish culture and the commissioners now even have their own kilts that they wear proudly, and we also have one of the best Highland Games in Florida."
Weekend brewery plans
What's next:
Dunedin Brewery is offering a free pint to anyone wearing a kilt to keep the spirit alive.
"Let’s build our own Tartan Army regardless of the rumors," the brewery wrote on its Facebook page Thursday afternoon.
The Source: The information in this story was gathered by FOX 13's Kailey Tracy, who interviewed local business owners, as well as gathered statements from the Tartan Army, the New World Celts Dunedin Chapter and the City of Dunedin.