Press release: Spot the Ball… on staycation

World’s oldest football leads VisitScotland football activity

The world’s oldest football is going on a Scottish staycation, courtesy of national tourism and events organisation, VisitScotland, to raise the profile of Scotland as the men’s national football team take to the world stage.

A cute toy replica of the leather ball is joined by Scottish tour guide and influencer Bryan Millar Walker on a humorous and awe-inspiring journey across the country in a video posted to Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

The actual ball is thought to be almost 500 years old and can be viewed in The Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum, in Stirling.

The first humorous video follows the ball from its case in the museum in Stirling to the beaches, forests and hillsides of the Outer Hebrides, Highlands and Perthshire.

Working with content creators like Bryan, VisitScotland plans further content featuring the ball throughout the run of the tournament.

The online inspiration is just one of several activities planned by VisitScotland to capitalise on the feelgood factor of the men’s team appearance and the Tartan Army’s presence in the United States.

It comes on the back of the Tartan Army’s impact at the Euros in 2024 when they were voted ‘best supporters’ in a poll by German media outlet RTL and proved to be such good ambassadors that online search interest in Scotland spiked during the tournament and Germans booked trips to Scotland in their thousands.

And it appears the Tartan Army is already making its mark in the US. Insight from VisitScotland shows online monthly searches for the term ‘tartan army’ have increased in the US since the beginning of the year (from 110 in January to 260 in May).

The US is Scotland’s largest international visitor market measured by number of visits, nights, and spend. American visitors account for 22% of all overseas trips to Scotland and 36% of all overseas spend in Scotland.

There has been a growing interest from American visitors to travel in spring and autumn, and notably winter visits have nearly doubled since 2019.

Boston itself has direct airlinks to Scotland, with seasonal services by Delta Air Lines and Jet Blue flying into Edinburgh Airport.

And despite the impact of recent world events, there remains strong interest in Scotland from the North American market.

VisitScotland’s programme of activities

In Boston, which hosts two of Scotland’s group matches, between 12 and 19 June eleven taxi cabs will be adorned in the Scottish Football Association tartan and emblazoned with the names of the 2026 Scotland players. Passengers will be able to  fuel up for the day thanks to a selection of free tasty Scottish food and drink treats, including shortbread (Dean’s and Walker’s Shortbread), snacks (Nairn’s), and Scotland’s other national drink – IRN BRU.
Destination advertising will feature in Boston and online targeting locals.
VisitScotland has teamed up with AAA Northeast, which offers travel services in Boston and the Northeast, to promote and offer exclusive Scotland travel packages. In addition, VisitScotland staff will conduct destination training with travel advisors, giving them the expertise to guide prospective visitors in planning their outstanding Scotland experiences.
VisitScotland will host a responsible tourism roundtable with key operators and from Boston and Tri-State areas to showcase Scotland’s sustainable credentials and strengthen business and travel networks.

The Tartan Army were amazing ambassadors for Scotland at the Euros in Germany. Their impact on Scottish tourism was felt far beyond the matches, turning locals and football fans into fans of our own country.

We know it’s a bigger stage this time and not every tartan army fan with be there in person, but there’s no doubt that those who make it over will bring the party and the feelgood factor to the US and Boston.

Our activity aims to capitalise on that feelgood factor in Boston and online, engaging directly with US audiences to raise awareness of Scotland as a must-visit destination and drive future travel demand to help grow our visitor economy.

Jill Walker, Director of Marketing, VisitScotland

I get to show off my country to a lot of interesting people, but to have a 500-year-old in the passenger seat really changes the perspective of what we’re looking at. To imagine what it was like then, how far we’ve come, and how much we’ve been able to protect, bring another layer to the pride we have in our little piece of the world.

I reckon he enjoyed the trip. After spending almost 500 years in a glass case, it was probably nice to finally see a bit of Scotland again. Even if it turned out he’s not quite as good at being kicked as he used to be.

Bryan Millar Walker, Influencer and Scottish tour guide

We’re delighted to see the world’s oldest football bringing a smile to people’s faces as part of this imaginative campaign.

The ball is one of Stirling’s most remarkable treasures, and while its history is extraordinary, it is wonderful to see it celebrated in such a playful and accessible way.

It has been great to be part of a fun media campaign with VisitScotland and Bryan Millar Walker, helping share the story of this unique object with new audiences at home and further afield.

Caroline Mathers, Director, The Stirling Smith Art Gallery & Museum