England 2018 - Yes or No?

What do The Tartan Army think....

Results will be displayed on 2nd of December on Tartan Army Facebook page in time for breakfast TV to unveil! Leave your comment on Tartan Army Facebook now

Accommodation Deals for Scotland's Carling Nations Cup Matches

The Carling Nations Cup which kicks off in Dublin in February 2011, unveiled the fixture list and schedule for the upcoming tournament along with the competitions new logo.

The new tournament is on a league basis, with all six matches being staged in Dublin's new Aviva Stadium. 

The logo incorporates the colours of the four participating nations, Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales and highlights Carling’s long association with football throughout the UK and Ireland.


The full list of fixtures are:
Tuesday February 8 - Republic of Ireland v Wales
Wednesday February 9 - Northern Ireland v Scotland
Monday May 23 - Republic of Ireland v Northern Ireland
Tuesday May 24 - Wales  v Scotland
Thursday May 26 - Wales v Northern Ireland
Friday May 27 - Republic of Ireland v Scotland

The Tartan Army can check best available rates in Dublin with hotel rates for the Scotland vs Northern Ireland game in February or for the two back to back matches with hotel rates for Scotland vs Wales and Scotland vs Republic of Ireland in May

With the problems facing Irish tourism just now there are some really amazing deals available just now and you only have to pay your deposit up front. It really is worth having a look and getting your rooms booked. Tickets go on sale in November.

The Carling Nations Cup will be the first senior international tournament hosted in Ireland and will be played in a league format with six matches between the four neighbouring teams. Tickets will go on sale in November.

Craig Levein, Scotland National Team Manager said: “Now that the schedule has been announced we are really looking forward to our visit to Dublin next year. This exciting new competition brings together four groups of passionate fans and also allows me to test my squad, in a competitive environment, in the middle of our UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying campaign.”

Nigel Worthington, Northern Ireland manager said: “I am really looking forward to the Carling Nations Cup, as competitive games against our neighbouring countries don’t come around too often. There are bragging rights at stake here, not only for the fans but also for the players as no-one will want to lose against their closest rivals. Northern Ireland is more than capable of winning this tournament and we hope to get off to a good start against Scotland in February.”

Giovanni Trapattoni, Republic of Ireland manager said: “The Carling Nations Cup is a tournament that we would very much like to win, particularly playing at home in Dublin, but speaking to my colleagues from Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland,  I know we are not alone in wanting to claim the trophy.  The matches will provide us with a good opportunity to see our players in games with a real competitive edge at an important time in our bid to qualify for 2012.” 

Jonathan Ford, Chief Executive, Football Association of Wales (FAW) said “It will be fantastic to see these games taking place.  We can all remember great matches in the past in the Home Internationals, Championship qualifiers and friendlies.  I am sure they will be a huge success and we look forward to generating competitive matches but maintaining the friendly rivalry that exists between our respective countries.”

Liechtenstein Tickets on Sale

If you didn't already Tickets are now on sale for the Scotland Liechtenstein match at Hampden on the 7th of September 2010 - tickets from £25 to £30 and great deals for the family section (just bought and adult and two kids for £18).

Click on the link to the SFA website to go straight to the SFA online booking page with their funky new seat views. Doesn't show you who you'll be sitting beside though! Or you can phone them on 0844 481 1818 for group ticket sales.

The Ferry Pre Match Entertainment

The tickets For The pre match Ferry entertainment are now on sale for the forthcoming Euro-Qualifiers.

Scotland vs Lichtenstein

Tuesday 7th of September 2010

The Ferry will be open from 2.30pm and the entertainment will commence at 3.30pm with the Legendary Andy Chung. Entry will be by ticket which is £2.50 per person, tickets can be reserved and picked up at the door on match day and the usual food will be available and both will be open.
You can email info@tartanarmy.com with the number of tickets required and we will print a full list of bookings in due course-  there are already 160 tickets sold !!!

Scotland vs Spain

Tuesday 12th of October 2010

The Ferry will also be open for the pre-match Bash aginst the World Champions at 2.30pm..
This game sees the return of Andy Duncan (Hunky Dory) and also Andy Chung and his Band.
Please note, that entry to this Gig will be by ticket only and again tickets are priced at £2.50 per person.

These can be provisionally reserved by emailing info@tartanarmy.com. Payment is confirmation and your tickets will be sent to you by Royal Mail so please make sure you include your address when you send your payments.........

All cheques should be made payable to Tartan Army Ltd and posted to Don Lawson 135 Culduthel Road, Inverness. IV2 4EF

It is anticipated that this Gig will be a sell out.... see you all onboard !!

Aviemore World Cup Weekend Goes Ahead as Planned

Perhaps a little smaller but just was well rounded as ever The Tartan Army will be returning to Aviemore for their own World Cup weekend celebrations this July.
From the 1st through until the 4th of July The Cairngorm Hotel will be acting as hosts to the Tartan Army with a programme of live music planned throughout the weekend.
The programme is mapped out below with something happening from Thursday evening right through to Monday morning. So whether you’re looking for a two, three or four night break Aviemore in the first week of July could be your first option.
Wristbands for the Tartan Army World Cup Weekend are available to buy online and will give discounts and great deals at visitor attractions and restaurants throughout the area with proceeds going towards.....
Registration for this year is £5 per adult and free for children and entitles members to discounted tickets as outlined above. Anyone who purchased the original £15 ticket will be refunded the difference directly into their PayPal account

Programme of Events
THURSDAY 1ST JULY
Registration opens from 6pm through til 9pm
Evening entertainment in the Cairngorm Hotel in Aviemore with Andy Chung
FRIDAY 2ND JULY
Registration open from 10am - 10pm!

• 9.00am – World Cup Weekend Golf – 18 holes of golf at The Macdonald Spey Valley Golf Course. Pre booking required.
• 4pm - First World Cup Quarter Final of the weekend
• 8.30pm - Second World Cup Quarter Final of the weekend
• 10.30pm -   Tartan Army Rocks Off – Live music for The Cairngorm Hotel World Cup Weekend with Ted Christopher

SATURDAY 3RD JULY

• 10am – Organised Tartan Army Mountaineering to the top of Cairngorm (okay the funicular railway will take us up most of the way but it sounds healthy!) Pre Booking Required and subject to numbers.
• 4pm - Third World Cup Quarter Final of the weekend
• 7pm – 8.20pm – Get Steamin’ Return trip on Strathspey Steam Railway includes complimentary drink and traditional Stovies and will be back in time for the next match with live entertainment at Glenbogle Station. Maximum 100 available.
• 8.30pm - Fourth World Cup Quarter Final of the weekend
• 1030pm -  The Aviemore “Ferry” Night – watch out for the very best in traditional and contemporary live favourites with Scottish music to dance the night away to live from The Cairngorm Hotel

SUNDAY 4TH JULY

• 12 noon - THE "KILTED 5-A-SIDE WORLD CUP and Kilted keep-uppie competition with the world champion. Can Turriff Tartan Army retain their trophy?
• 10pm – Farewell Entertainment in The Cairngorm Hotel

For more information contact The Cairngorm Hotel in Aviemore

Scotland's Greatest Team?

STV want The Tartan Army's team for the final show in their Scotland's Greatest team this week. Vote is now open and closes Thursday at 2pm. Point your friends and colleagues to the Facebook fanpage and they can vote as well!

Simple process takes two minutes and remains anonymous. Remember it's a 4-4-2 with keeper and manager!

Travel Information for Czech Republic

Wee email through from Passport Travel about information on travel packages for the Czech game. You can download the PDF Booking form or visit their website www.passporttravel.co.uk.

If you have any information on other packages or travel plans for any of the qualifiers let us know and we'll publish then here and on Facebook.

Tartan Army Ski Bums Wanted...

We like this one lots...

CairnGorm Mountain is attempting to set a world record for the largest number of kilted skiers/snowboarders skiing down a piste at once. The attempt will take place on Saturday 6th March at 11am and all money raised will be split between Maggie’s Highland and the Badenoch & Strathspey Schools Skiing Programme.

They are aiming to have 600 kilted skiers and snowboarders ski in a single consecutive line from the Ptarmigan Top Station at CairnGorm Mountain all the way down to car park level.

In a press release Ian Whitaker, Chief Executive at CAirnGorm Mountain said, “Snow conditions this winter are so fantastic at CairnGorm Mountain that staff wanted to celebrate the skiing from top to bottom in a memorable way that would also involve the public. So far this year we have held two torch light descents but the “CairnGorm in Kilts” world record attempt would be unique to Scotland and Scottish Skiing. We hope that our customers will embrace the fun and also know that they are raising money for two great local causes.”

Participants should be competent intermediate / advanced skiers or snowboarders capable of skiing slowly and steadily from the top station down the Traverse, Coire Cas, Zig Zags and the lower slopes without stopping. (World record attempts require the line to be consecutive and a moving single line.)

To register your participation please go to the CairnGorm Web site and sign up using this link - Kilt

Impossible is Nothing - apart from the sale date...

The new Scotland strip has been unveiled but so far no details have been released officially about when the SFA plan to sell them. What is clear is that the online marketing department at the SFA has gone up a few gears with the launch of a new Facebook site for Scotland fans and if you want to be first to know about the launch of the strip you can leave your email address on the SFA site.



Leave your opinion on the strip here or on Tartan Army Facebook page

Tartan Army Tickets for Scottish Golf Show

The Scottish Golf Show returns to Glasgow next month for its fifth year and, courtesy of the show's organisers, TartanArmy.com have 10 pairs of tickets worth £24 a pair to give away.

All you have to do is make sure that you're a Tartan Army Fan on Facebook by the 8th of March and you will automatically have a chance to win a pair of tickets courtesy of show organiers Bunkered Golf Magazine

The show has firmly established itself as the perfect way to tee-off the new golfing season - and this year's event is set to be the biggest and best yet. Taking place over three days, from March 26 to 28 at the SECC, the show is a great day out for the whole family. And visitors don't have to be hard-core golfers to enjoy it as there really is something for everyone. The event is also fully interactive so the Scottish Golf Show is all about putting the latest great gear in the hands of show customers.

This year's show features a 31-bay indoor driving range featuring equipment from all of the game's biggest brand names where you can try their latest products before you buy. There will be a huge shop - the biggest of its kind in the country - which will be operated by Europe's No.1 golf retailer, American Golf.

Visitors will also be able to get free lessons from PGA professionals while there will also be opportunities to practise short game skills and putting at large range areas operated by Callaway Golf. For those with a sharp competitive edge, there will be loads of competitions to enter, including a long-putt challenge and long drive and nearest-the-pin simulator contests.

Throw in trick shot shows, plus over 100 exhibitors from across the golf industry and you've got everything you need for a fantastic day out.

To find out more, visit www.thescottishgolfshow.com and tee off your 2010 season in style. To book tickets in advance call 0141 353 2222. Show times are 9.30am to 6pm on Friday, 9.30am to 5.30pm on Saturday and 9.30am to 5pm on Sunday.

Happy Birthday Denis Law

Seventy years young, we'd like to wish Denis Law many belated happy returns. We thought about a wee bit of Jonathon Watson footage as a tribute but decided against it and featured Wembley '67 when the Lawman scored.

Ah those happy memories.

Anyone But England T-Shirts Racist?

Anyone But England?

Aberdeen's finest apparently warned the staff at Slanj over the racist nature of their t-shirt display!

What do they say about there being no thing as bad publicity? I think the polis must have been related to the Aberdeen store manager but they deserve the plug for sure. Slanje T-shirts available online - funny can't see the racist bit at all.

A spokesman for Slanj said staff were "flabbergasted" by the warning.
Ross Lyle, from the company, said: "To be honest we're absolutely flabbergasted.

"We have been selling this T-shirt for the past three months and we've had a great response.


"Even the English people who come into the store think it's a laugh and just a bit of tongue-in-cheek football banter.

"We're certainly not being racist. We are the same race as the English. It's just daft to say it's offensive."

A police spokesman said  "We would be failing in our duty if we did not make people aware of the potential for disturbance such a window display could cause"

Buy online at Slanj Kilts

Runrig's Hebridean Adventure

Old friends of The Tartan Army , Runrig, have been confirmed to play at this year's Hebridean Celtic Festival. The news comes as the band are listed as one of the festival's first inductees to its new Hall of Fame.

This year is the festival's 15th anniversary. It will see Runrig's first performance there since 2005, and be their major Scottish summer show for 2010. The four days of music, which take place in Stornoway and surrounding communities (14-17 July), will culminate in Runrig headlining the programme on the Saturday night.

The anniversary also brings the inception of the Hebridean Celtic Festival Hall of Fame. Festival Director Caroline MacLennan said: "We are delighted to be announcing Runrig for our programme this year, and our Hall of Fame. Runrig will not only provide our audience with a fabulous night out, they will also act as HebCelt ambassadors, taking our reputation as a fantastic festival to other musicians and audiences around the world.

"We are also inducting the talented Gaelic singer Julie Fowlis and the innovative Peatbog Faeries. All three have been selected for their commitment to our festival, and because of the superb shows each have delivered for our audiences over the years. We are very grateful to have their consent in furthering the good name of the Hebridean Celtic Festival and the stage is well set for a stunning event in July."

Another excuse to watch them singing live with the troops I guess...

Magners Comedy Festival

Now in its eighth year and a major part of Scotland's thriving entertainment scene, the Magners Glasgow International Comedy Festival (11 -28 March) is bigger and better than ever before, with 373 shows at present and almost 109,000 tickets available throughout the 18-day event – 5,000 more tickets than in 2009.
he largest dedicated comedy festival in Europe, this year’s line up will feature the strongest ever international influence to date, with comedians from the USA, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Germany and Ireland joining UK talent along with plenty of home-grown Scottish acts. This is in part due to the support from Homecoming Scotland, which allowed the Festival to foster strong links within the American comedy scene.

Big names appearing at the festival include Jimmy Carr, Frankie Boyle, Dara Ó Briain, Paul Merton, Jerry Sadowitz, Lee Mack, Jim Jeffries and Stewart Lee as well as an exclusive premier of the summer's hottest Hollywood blockbuster comedy movie Kick-Ass.

Top US comic Bill Burr will make his Scottish debut, having taken America by storm with a headline spot alongside Ricky Gervais at the New York Comedy Festival and numerous appearances on the David Letterman and Jay Leno shows. Burr is leading the way for an influx of top class American acts – 13 in total - including Todd Barry (a stand up who also played Mickey Rourke’s boss in The Wrestler), Marc Maron (host of the US version of Never Mind the Buzzcocks) and Tony Award-winning musical comedian Stephen Lynch (who starred in the lead role in the Broadway adaptation of The Wedding Singer) – almost all of whom have had their own specials on the likes of Comedy Central or HBO.

Tickets are available by calling 0844 395 4005 or visiting www.glasgowcomedyfestival.com

Scotland Squad Announced

Well a few surprises? Maybe not but opinions will be split that's for sure. So here's the Scotland squad to face Czech Republic on 3 March:

Goalkeepers:

• Alexander (Rangers), 
• Gordon (Sunderland), 
• Marshall (Cardiff City);

Defenders:

• Hutton (Tottenham), 
• Berra (Wolves), 
• Caldwell (Wigan), 
• Dixon (Dundee United), 
• Kenneth (Dundee United), 
• Wallace (Hearts), 
• Webster (Rangers) 
• Whittaker (Rangers), 

Midfielders:

• Adam (Blackpool), 
• Brown (Celtic), 
• Dorrans (West Brom) , 
• Fletcher (Manchester United), 
• Hartley (Bristol City), 
• McCulloch (Rangers), 
• McFadden (Birmingham), 
• Robson (Middlesbrough), 
• Thomson (Rangers), 

Forwards:

• Boyd (Rangers), 
• Fletcher (Burnley), 
• Iwelumo (Wolves), 
• Miller (Rangers)

Tartan Breaks!

We were asked recently to explain what the role of the Tartan Army website and related social media sites was all about and it came as a bit of a surprise when we explained that it wasn't about trying to make money out of exploitation of the name; that it was much more about acting as a portal or a channel to provide information, advice, humour and a bit of fun to the myriad of individuals who see themselves as part of Scotland's wider Tartan Army.

In the same way that we're all Jock Tampson's bairns, we're all just a little bit Tartan Army too...

Anyway, the revamped website is featuring a whole section dedicated to travel and entertainment, events and short break ideas and hopefully a whole host of real added value and exclusive Tartan Army offers to some of Scotland's finest hotels destinations.

We are delighted therefore to have been contacted by Nick White from Fife's excellent Inn at Lathones offering us a unique Tartan Army offer. The four star Inn, about five miles from St Andrews is a great wee venue for a short break and he's got a really fantastic deal Pre Easter deal on offer for Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th April for only £30 per person Bed and Breakfast.

The Inn is offering ten rooms exclusively to The Tartan Army - the offer is as usual subject to availability and normal terms and conditions and can only be booked online at The Inn at Lathones website.
Click on the link to check availability and reserve your room at The Inn at Lathones

Doh a Dear... or pretty close at any rate!

Okay so has anyone actually been there? Any travel agents out there wish to illuminate us further on its joys? We of course refer to Liechtenstein... Area: 160 km²;Capital: Vaduz; approx. 35,000 inhabitants; Currency: Swiss franc (bad sign!); Official language: German;National Day: 15 August - surely good time to negotiate an away match!; Head of State: Prince Hans-Adam II of Liechtenstein; Head of Government: Prime Minister Klaus Tschütscher - but has anyone actually been there???
You want more info? Official Portal Site for the Principality of Liechtenstein where you can find out amongst other details the rationale behind their new brand image above...

The Aviemore Gathering Outline Programme

Bigger and better than ever before the Aviemore Gathering organised by the Tartan Army will feature more live football, more live music and more family fun than ever before. Showcasing the very best of the Scottish Highlands this event is aimed at bringing a little bit of brightness to football fans from across the world whose team didn’t catch the plane to South Africa.

The outline programme is mapped out below with something happening From Thursday evening right through to Monday morning. So whether you’re looking for a two, three or four night break Aviemore in the first week of July could be your first option.

As more details emerge of the full programme we’ll keep you up to date through the website, newsletter, Facebook and the blog.

Tickets will be available to buy online from mid February so keep your eyes open. Tickets this year will not only give access to The Cairngorm Hotel events but also give discount to the two Osprey Arean live events and great deals at visitor attractions thorugh the area including Rothiemurchus Estate, The Funicular Railway, Landmark Theme Park, The Highland Wildlife park, Loch Insh Watersports and more.

Registration for this year is £15 per adult and £7.50 for children and under 5s are free and entitles members to discounted tickets as outlined above and free entry to The Cairngorm Stage Area.

Outline Programme of Events

THURSDAY 1ST JULY

Registration opens from 4pm through til 9pm 

Evening entertainment in the Cairngorm Hotel in Aviemore with Andy Chung

FRIDAY 2ND JULY

Registration open from 10am - 10pm !

Get your tickets for "Get Steamin" which is one of the most popular events of the weekend.

A nostalgic trip on the Strathspey Steam Railway with a Ceilidh on the platform of Glenbogle station!! The clue to the event is in the title !!!

4pm - First World Cup Quarter Final of the weekend

8.30pm - Second World Cup Quarter Final of the weekend

10.30pm -   Tartan Army Rocks Off – watch out for the announcement of live bands to rock the night away with followed by Jim Marshall (who plays all our favourite songs)

SATURDAY 3RD JULY

10.30am - THE "KILTED 5-A-SIDE WORLD CUP  and Kilted keep-uppie competition with the world champion. Can Turriff Tartan Army retain their trophy?
9.00am – Tartan Army Classic Golf – 18 hole stableford event.
8am -12noon - Organised fly fishing competition on the River Spey
10am – Organised Tartan Army Mountaineering to the top of Cairngorm (okay the funicular railway will take us up most of the way but it sounds healthy!)
10am til 4pm - Organised Helicopter flights around Strathspey and the Cairngorms
12 noon - Battle re-enactments from the famous Wallace Society 
4pm - Third World Cup Quarter Final of the weekend
8.30pm - Fourth World Cup Quarter Final of the weekend
1030pm -  The Aviemore Ferry Night – watch out for the very best in traditional  and contemporary live favourites with Scottish music to dance the night away to live in The Renfrew Ferry tradition masquerading as The Osprey Arena

SUNDAY 4TH JULY

12 noon – The traditional Clan March thru Aviemore village to the Tartan Army Highland Games and battle re-enactments complete with beer tent, Tossing the Caber, Hammer Throwing, Cheerleaders, Tug of War, Bouncy Castle and fun activities for all the family.

5pm - Live music on the Cairngorm Hotel stage

10pm – Farewell Entertainment in Aviemore

MONDAY 5TH JULY

For those still around enjoy a Farewell Hangover Brunch at The Cairngorm Hotel before departing Aviemore.

Keep up to date with live information on the Facebook Fan Page or on the Tartan Army Blog

Six Nations Rugby Gets Underway

Quite poignant this year as Scotland launch their camapign against France at Murrayfield tomorrow. Not sure what the SRU have in mind to mark the life of Bill McLaren but whatever it is it won't be matched by the hundreds of thousands of individual thoughts held by Rugby's own Tartan Army tomorrow.

I knew nothing about rugby (I'm pretty sure our school didn't even own a funny shaped ball) but what I did learn was from sitting down at 2pm on a Saturday in January to watch live rugby on the BBC with Bill McLaren the memorable bacground to it all. Those were the days; massive TV audiences, muddy pitches, darkness falling (no floodlights remember?) and those magnificent tones - and ALWAYS a balanced view of the game whether Scotland won or lost.

So the thoughts hovering around Murrayfield tomorrow will be tinged with the memory of a true broadcasting legend and perhaps the passion may just convert into an opening victory.

If you're looking for some of the stats that Bill McLaren may have imparted you could do worse than a trip to the page for tomorrow's match on the Six Nations website.

It's Draw Time Again...

It's time for that wonderful bi-annual experience...

Every second year, the names are shoved into the proverbial (and increasingly sophisticated) hat and Scotland are drawn out yet again in the Group of Death.

What difference will this draw make? What wonderful trips to highly priced Euro zone countries can we look forward to?

What about something different this year for Euro 2012. I mean is there really any need to be drawn against  Lithuania again?

I'm going for easyJet and Ryanair destinations so the draw needs to be Germany, Sweden, SCOTLAND, Belgium and from pot five it'll have to be Montenegro. If we're unlucky enough to have another game I think it would have to then be Andorra for the duty free shopping and there's always flights to Toulouse and Girona.

So that's it by Monday morning the Record will be running a headline saying something crass like "Scots in Pole Position After Euro Draw." and we'll have to search for another Tartan Army single for Children in Need...God Forbid.

Anyway here's the basic info required -

Draw on Sky Sports from 10.15am on Sunday. The nine group winners plus the top runner-up team will go through.  The remaining 8 teams will take part in a home and away playoff on the 11/12th and 15th November 2011. The pots are as follows:

POT ONE: Spain, Germany, Netherlands, Italy, England, Croatia, Portugal, France, Russia 

POT TWO: Greece, Czech Republic, Sweden, Switzerland, Serbia, Turkey, Denmark, Slovakia, Romania 

POT THREE: Israel, Bulgaria, Finland, Norway, Republic of Ireland, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Austria, Bosnia-Herzegovina 

POT FOUR:
Slovenia, Latvia, Hungary, Lithuania, Belarus, Belgium, Wales, F.Y.R. Macedonia, Cyprus 

POT FIVE:
Montenegro, Albania, Estonia, Georgia, Moldova, Iceland, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Liechtenstein 

POT SIX:
Azerbaijan, Luxembourg, Malta, Faroe Islands, Andorra, San Marino

Euro 2012, will be the 14th European Championship for national football teams and the final tournament will be jointly hosted Poland and Ukraine between 8 June and 1 July 2012. This will be the last European Championship finals in which only 16 nations will participate, with Euro 2016 having 24 competing nations.