A kilt-clad Scotland fan has celebrated together with his countrymen after he efficiently walked 1,000 miles from his house to Germany for the beginning of the Euros.
Craig Ferguson, 20, was given a hero’s welcome when he arrived in Munich’s central sq. on Thursday as lots of of Scots showered him with applause and beer.
The waiter from Paisley in Renfrewshire made the gruelling journey to boost cash for Glasgow male suicide prevention charity Brothers In Arms.
His feat of endurance comes simply forward of his nation’s curtain-raiser opening match towards the host nation on Friday.
Mr Ferguson’s entrance in Munich was celebrated by his fellow Scottish followers who’ve travelled of their tens of hundreds to Germany forward of the match.
The waiter from Paisley in Renfrewshire, pictured right here with five-year-old nephew Aedan Ferguson and niece Orlaith Ferguson, eight, started his trek at Glasgow’s Hampden Park
Whereas he acknowledged the celebrations, lots of of fellow Scots belted out their nationwide anthem the Flower of Scotland whereas the bagpipes performed.
Like most Scots making the journey, he did not have a ticket for the match, however following his £50,000 fundraising effort, he was handed a ticket by Euro 2024 sponsors Peoples BYD.
He stated: ‘It’s simply been a little bit of adrenaline that’s carried me over the end line. I’d be mendacity if I stated that this hasn’t been the toughest factor I’ve ever completed
‘I believe whereas coming into Germany I simply used the adrenaline and the motivation of just about being on the end line to only actually carry me over.
‘It’s been arduous. It’s been up, it’s been down.
‘All of that, I’d not change it for a second. Each final little bit of this journey, the nice, the unhealthy has led me to right here.
Scotland’s gamers have arrived in Munich forward of their opener towards the hosts on Friday
A Scotland fan within the fountain at Marienplatz central sq. in Munich on Thursday
The Tartan Military had been profiting from the sunny climate in Munich on Thursday
A Scotland fan leaps into the fountain because the followers put together for the opening match towards Germany
Scotland followers sing songs whereas brandishing colourfully adorned scarfs
Scotland have the honour of opening the match by dealing with Germany within the first match tomorrow, and supporters have already made their presence felt within the Bavarian capital
A bunch of Scotland followers pose alongside a saltire within the centre of Munich
A pair of Scotland followers in excessive spirits as they drink steins in Munich
There was a competition environment on Marienplatz right now forward of tomorrow night time’s sport
An aerial picture exhibiting the massive crowds gathered within the sq.
A piper leads Scotland followers for a singalong in Munich this afternoon
Craig Ferguson, 20, has walked 1,000 miles from Scotland to Germany for Euro 2024
‘We’ve raised over £50k for charity for such an vital subject. I wouldn’t change it for the world and I’m so glad we’ve managed to make it.’
In the meantime, different Scots have been making the journey to Munich in a contact extra fashion.
Greater than 150 Tartan Military followers flew out to the Euros from Inverness on Thursday after an enterprising publican employed a aircraft and instructed the provider to double their beer inventory.
Don Lawson teamed up with native agency SJ Journey to constitution the non-public jet for £90,000.
They then put collectively Tartan Military lodge and ticket offers for Scotland soccer followers residing domestically.
Such has been the recognition of the enterprise, Mr Lawson, 62, who owns Johnny Foxes and Jimmy Badgers in Inverness, stated he might have stuffed ‘two or three planes’ given sufficient discover.
Scotland followers will probably be hoping their facet can pull off a shock consequence towards Germany tomorrow
Followers had been in good spirits forward of the conflict
A Saltire-wearing fan holds two steins of beer in Munich right now
Scotland followers have taken over a lot of the sq. within the centre of Munich
A person carries a crate of beer again to his mates
Nationwide coach Stevie Clarke’s workforce head for the finals in buoyant temper after beating Spain and Erling Haaland’s Norway en-route to their second consecutive Euro finals.
However with costs hovering on all exit routes from the UK to Germany, Mr Lawson was eager to make sure native Tartan Military foot troopers might have their heads up within the clouds as nicely.
A veteran of an incredible many Scotland soccer journey adventures over time, Mr Lawson, knew there could be excessive demand for in-flight refreshments because the chartered Polish aircraft departed Inverness airport for Munich.
‘So I urged that they replenish with 4 cans per passenger – in any other case they might run out by row three or 4,’ he stated.
‘Sadly, aviation guidelines imply our Tartan Military friends wouldn’t have the ability to deliver their very own carry-outs on board.
‘We knew there could be a little bit of a celebration temper amongst our Highland Tartan Military travellers so we put in a request that the airline shares up on double its ordinary quantity of beer for the journey.”
Scotland’s soccer workforce followers drink beer in ‘Marienplatz’ sq. subsequent to the city corridor
An impromptu soccer sport breaks out among the many assembled supporters
Scotland followers at Marienplatz central sq. on Thursday
Packages for a one-way flight to the Bavarian capital began at £399, return flights at £795, with full match ticket, flight and lodge offers costing as much as £4,200.
For individuals who have booked a return flight, it’s going to depart on June 24 from Stuttgart Airport.
And there was a shock for one ticketless fan on the flight.
‘I had a final minute cancellation from a man who was ailing, so I’ll choose a deserving fan on the flight. The ticket will probably be bought at face worth. They’re class one tickets costing Euros 600,” stated Mr Lawson.
‘I believe this would be the first Scottish workforce to qualify from the group levels and I believe we are going to beat Germany 2-1. The Highland Roar will probably be heard in Germany for certain. If we attain the final 4 we are going to attempt to constitution one other aircraft.’
Mr Lawson, who additionally owns the Tartan Military trademark, will probably be among the many crowd when Scotland tackle Germany on Friday.
Scotland followers consuming beer in the primary sq. of Munich right now
Scotland followers having fun with cans of Euros branded beer in Munich central sq.
It was a stupendous day in Munich regardless of forecasts for rain
In the meantime, admirers have been praising Mr Ferguson on-line for his heroics in making the lengthy journey on solely two legs, with one fan posting: ‘Give him free tickets to any video games he desires, and as a lot beer as he desires at no cost.’
And he was additionally instructed: ‘Somebody higher have a pint ready for him when he will get to Munich – what a incredible effort and a incredible trigger.’
He has additionally been backed by Scottish singing duo the Proclaimers, whose hits embrace I am Gonna Be (500 Miles) and who posted a video message about him.
They stated: ‘We’re The Proclaimers and that is going out to Craig Ferguson in your incredible endeavour in strolling a thousand miles into Germany.
“All of the very highest and congratulations in your effort. Effectively completed.’
Mr Ferguson, beforehand described any probability of watching Scotland supervisor Steve Clarke’s males in motion as ‘a bonus’.
He stated of his trek: ‘It’s been the journey of a lifetime.
‘I’ve bought a love for journey and exploring anyway, however on this journey going by means of so many alternative cities, cities and villages you meet so many superb individuals.
Admirers of Craig Ferguson (pictured) have been praising him on-line, with one fan posting: ‘Give him free tickets to any video games he desires, and as a lot beer as he desires at no cost’
One other wrote: ‘Wonderful. Some individuals cannot even stroll 12,000 steps. Hope they get him a ticket for at the least one of many matches’
He has additionally been backed by Scottish singing duo the Proclaimers, whose hits embrace I am Gonna Be (500 Miles) and who posted a video message about him
Craig Ferguson was sharing movies of his progress throughout the trek on TikTok
He has raised greater than £50,000 for male suicide prevention charity Brothers In Arms
He has described the stroll as ‘the journey of a lifetime’
‘It actually has been one thing so particular to date.’
He started his stroll at Scotland’s nationwide stadium Hampden Park in Glasgow, the place the facet performed their final pre-Euros match final Friday – a 2-2 draw with Finland.
The mission has taken him by means of Scotland, England and on a ferry to the Netherlands, then Belgium and Luxembourg – with in a single day stays in inns to offer some much-needed relaxation.
He stated: ‘It is actually superb. You don’t realise how far you’ve come on a journey like this till you are taking a step again and zoom out on a map and go, “Oh God, I’ve come fairly a distance”.’
Mr Ferguson was prompted to hold out the stroll after dropping household and mates who suffered psychological well being difficulties.
He stated: ‘If I can unfold just a little little bit of positivity and consciousness of that trigger all through the problem I will be useless pleased with that.’
Brothers In Arms founder Dan Proverbs stated: ‘Craig’s willpower and fervour are really inspiring.
‘His stroll has not solely raised much-needed funds but in addition introduced consideration to the very important subject of males’s psychological well being.
‘The outpouring of help he has obtained reveals simply how a lot his story has resonated with individuals. We’re extremely pleased with what he has achieved.’
Scotland face not solely hosts Germany but in addition Switzerland and Hungary in Group A.
Craig Ferguson started his stroll at Scotland’s nationwide stadium Hampden Park in Glasgow
He set off on the 1,000-mile trek to Germany on Might 4 – waved on his approach by enthusiastic followers
Mr Ferguson stated he was prompted to hold out the stroll after dropping household and mates who suffered psychological well being difficulties
They’re collaborating in solely their second main match because the 1998 World Cup in France, having beforehand competed within the Covid-delayed Euro 2020 finals.
A bagpipe participant offered a welcome at Munich airport for followers travelling over from Glasgow and Edinburgh airports forward of Friday’s sport.
In the meantime, Gareth Southgate’s England are in Group C – with an preliminary fixture towards Serbia this Sunday night.
They then tackle Denmark on Thursday subsequent week and Slovenia 5 days later.
