‘We've been so happy to have the Providence Tartan Army. I hear bagpipes in my sleep now’

Rhode Island residents on welcoming Scots supporters

- BY NEIL POORAN

THE skirl of bagpipes has become a familiar noise in a US city which is not even hosting a World Cup game - let alone one featuring Scotland.

Thousands of members of the Tartan Army have unexpectedly descended upon Providence, Rhode Island, during the tournament.

But it has prompted a major financial boost for the smallest state in the union.

The city is just 40 miles south of the Foxboro Stadium located on the outside of Boston, Massachusetts, where Scotland first two group games have been scheduled.

Yesterday, a representative from a Rhode Island visitors’ organisation joked she could hear bagpipes “in my sleep”.

Around 30,000 Scotland fans are thought to have travelled to the USA for the World Cup but at least 5,000 of them are believed to be in Providence.

Alana O’Hare, senior director of communications at local tourist board, GoProvidence, said cheaper prices had also attracted some Tartan Army members to Rhode Island.