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Caithness Tartan Army members set to hit the road for Wembley despite driver difficulties


By Mike Merritt

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A mock-up of the Tartan Army-clad vehicle.
A mock-up of the Tartan Army-clad vehicle.

Scotland fans from the far north faced being left on the bench after their driver pulled out of their Euro 2020 road trip.

But the Caithness Tartan Army crew were inundated with offers after an SoS appeal for a replacement driver for their Wembley-bound wagon.

Four drivers from Caithness came forward plus two from Aberdeenshire and another from Prestonpans. Now businessman Martin Nicolson faces a selection problem...

He will pick the driver of his Scotland-themed motorhome from the Caithness quartet before they set off on Sunday on the 1500-mile round trip that will also see them pick up fans in Glasgow and even an England supporter in Oxford!

But Lee Durrant has been told he can only come on the trip if he wears a kilt and Scotland top and becomes "an honorary Scot" for the Euros.

The group of fans also include Tartan Army piper Bob Bell, David Farquhar, Ally Webster, Scott Bell, Euan Scott, Adie Forbes and Neil Smith.

Five have tickets for the England game on June 18 and some have tickets for the other matches.

But the trip faced being given a red card before it was due to set off on Sunday when the original driver pulled out for "unforeseen circumstances".

"We were in a bit of difficulty but after we put out the appeal we immediately got four drivers from Caithness – three from Thurso and one from Wick – and another two from Aberdeenshire and one from Prestonpans," said Mr Nicolson (51) who has been to two world cups, France in 1998 and Italy in 1990.

"We will pick one from Caithness, who will be paid accordingly for their services even though there's plenty who would have volunteered because of the craic! But we think it's only right to pay the driver. The idea is that we have a bit of music on and a few beers and have a trip to remember. I was surprised we got so many drivers offering.

"But come Sunday everybody must wear a kilt and a Scotland top – and that includes Lee who has agreed to be an honorary Scot for the trip.

"I have been all over the world watching Scotland and we got the tickets through having enough points with the Tartan Army travel club. Some of our guys were unlucky, missing out by just one point. I really feel for them.

"We will be away until at least June 23, but it could be longer in Scotland qualify. I think the this team will do well. They have a good young squad and nobody will relish playing us – and we will be there!"

Mr Nicolson, who owns the Northern Sands Hotel in Dunnet Bay, said it "should be a trip to remember regardless".

It is 23 years since Scotland took part in a major tournament, at France 98.

Scotland’s allocation of seats at Wembley has been slashed to just 2700 due to the need for social distancing.

To comply with social distancing, supporters have been allocated an individual arrival time on their ticket. Some fans have been told to come three hours before kick-off.

Fans without tickets may struggle to take in the action at Wembley if they travel to London, as many bars have an “England only” policy.


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