‘No Scotland, no party’ as plug pulled on big screen Inverness city centre fanzone for Euro 2024 matches

There will be ‘no Scotland, no party’ in Inverness city centre this summer after plans to host a Euro 2024 fanzone fell flat.

With excitement surrounding the Scotland national football team’s trip to the finals in Germany building, there were moves led by the Eastgate Shopping Centre, who approached Highland Council for assistance, to screen the games live in Falcon Square.

But organisers say they faced too many hurdles “at short notice” to put together the large-scale outdoor event in a public space.

Eastgate Centre manager Chris Kershaw said: “We had a lot that needed to be achieved to get it in place and it just wasn’t viable in the timeframe we had.

“With more time, it would have been achievable. We will be sure to look into it for future events.”

While some on social media lamented the demise of the family friendly idea in an outdoor setting, Scotland fans will be able to congregate indoors at Inverness Ice Centre.

The centre will be hosting a Highland Eurozone, a ticketed event catering for up to 700 people with a bar, street food vendors and entertainment.

Organisers say it will also be family-friendly, with no risk of inclement June weather wrecking enjoyment on the day.

Scotland and Germany will kick off the Euro 2024 finals on June 14 in Munich, before the Tartan Army switches focus to Switzerland on June 19 in Cologne.

Scotland’s group stage matches will be completed with a game against Hungary on June 23 in Stuttgart.

Steve Clarke’s Scottish side will be striving to become the first in the national team’s history to qualify for the second phase of a major international tournament.

‘No Scotland, no party’ became a Tartan Army refrain during the leaner years when the country failed to qualify for finals from their last World Cup bow in 1998 to the Euro 2020 finals.

There was disappointment voiced on social media, with Jonny MacLean asking: “How is it short notice? We have been qualified since November 2023.

“That is possibly the worst excuse I’ve ever heard.”

Matt Davies countered: “Surely every pub in town will be hosting a fanzone?”

But Kerri Love stressed: “I get pubs will be showing games, but it would have been a better environment for families to support our national team.”

A Highland Council spokesman said matters relating to the use of Falcon Square for events were for the Eastgate Shopping Centre to comment on.

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