World Cup-bound Scots given rousing send-off at Edinburgh Airport by Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

World Cup-bound Scotland fans were given a rousing send-off at Edinburgh Airport on Thursday as Highland dancers and a pipe band from the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo helped lead them to the departure gates.

The dancers were piped through the airport with dozens of Tartan Army supporters joining in the “kiltwalk” and singing songs as they kicked off their journey to the US in style.

The excitement is building with just two days to go until Steve Clarke’s men face Haiti in their World Cup opening match in Boston on Saturday night local time.

Scotland secured their place at their first men’s World Cup in 28 years with victory over Denmark last November, and fans cannot wait for the action to get under way.

Lucy and Jess, from Livingston, who were getting ready to catch their flight, told STV News: “We decided to go the minute we won that Denmark game.

“You can’t miss this opportunity. We’re just going out there for the fanzones and the atmosphere.

“I think everyone else will be the same. It will be amazing.”

Gary and Rona Thomson are from Glasgow and are staying with friends in Boston.

Gary said: “We’ve got tickets for the Haiti and Morocco games.

“It’s my first World Cup. I missed the last one in France because I was starting my first week in London at my new job as a 20-year-old.

“We just hope to get through the next round, to have a great time with friends and just enjoy America.

“As soon as we qualified I booked my flights.”

The Highland dancers performed their routine through the airport as crowds watched on, and even they were caught up in the moment.

Tia Corrigan from Paisley from the Highland dance group, said: “That was surreal, knowing the whole of Scotland is behind our football team that hasn’t performed at a World Cup in 28 years is incredible.

“That was like a make-me-cry moment standing listening to all those fans.”

Piper Angela Naysmith added: “It was a really good experience, great atmosphere and I’m hoping that we will bring Scotland good luck.

“Yeah, the place is buzzing. I know quite a few people that are heading over there as well, so it’s nice to be able to send them off.”

Reacting to the party atmosphere in the airport, Tartan Army supporter Gary Lawson, from Glasgow, said: “I’ve never seen anything like that in my life.

“It’s amazing what an experience. It’s started the trip in the best possible way.

“Can’t wait, it’s going to be an amazing experience to go with guys from school.

“We’ve not seen Scotland at a World Cup since we were at school. I’m going to all three games so I’m lucky enough to get to go to them.”

Scotland face Haiti on Saturday, then Morocco on June 19 and their final game against Brazil in Group C is on June 24.

Edinburgh is Scotland’s busiest airport and welcomed almost 17 million people through the doors last year.

But the airport’s communications officer Gordon Robertson concedes it’s different when they have got the Tartan Army travelling.

He said: “We’ve created the fanhub and worked closely with the Scottish FA and our partners to create the buzz and give them their best start to their journey across America.

“It was absolutely wild, lots of members of staff will have never seen that.

“The atmosphere was electric, particularly the singing of the anthem. It’s great to create that buzz and hopefully they’ll take that with them across the Atlantic.”