Jailer Tours go 3,000 miles to cheer on Scots
Tartan Army enjoy victory in Vilnius
Some of the Jailer Tours contingent bound for Vilnius Stamina and endurance were the order of the day for the 30 Jailer Tours Tartan Army foot soldiers who returned from a 3,000-mile round trip to Lithuania at the weekend.
For no sooner had they wiped the celebratory beer from their lips, they were preparing for Monday’s match against Malta at Hampden.
The biggest Jailer Tours party to travel abroad for a Scotland match so far, they were based in the Alexa Old Town Hotel in Vilnius for two nights, culminating in a famous 3-0 victory.
Not fazed in the slightest by the artificial pitch — and roared on by more than 3,000 delirious Scots’ fans the final score signalled a triumphant march from the ground, led by pipers and flag-waving followers, intent on partying the night away.
Hundreds of ecstatic fans took over one of the large squares in the town centre, with huge Saltires hung from bars and balconies proclaiming the names of supporters’ clubs the length and breadth of Scotland.
The Jailer Tours contingent had their own massive flag, proudly displayed on the terracing at halftime as pictures of it flashed across European television screens.
They also had their own resident Graeme Morrison
piper in Perth man Stewart McBain, a veteran of many Scottish games both at home and abroad.
He quickly became one of the most photographed people in the town.
Not far behind him was Graeme Morrison, of Scone, who had Japanese tourists reaching for their cameras and scratching their heads in bewilderment as he proudly wore a fancy dress outfit he had nicknamed Archie.
It looked as if he was being carried by a diminutive Highlander, complete with crazy red beard, kilt and tammy.
The Jailer Tours contingent, from Perth, St Madoes, Kirriemuir and beyond — and with ages ranging from late teens to 70 - took over a bar next to their hotel.
It was soon referred to as The Clachan. And although the decor was in need of an upgrade, no-one was complaining at one euro 60 cents for a pint.
The licencing laws were also what one could describe as ‘flexible.’
Just in case wives and girlfriends think there was nothing but drinking taking place on the trip, some opted to soak up some ‘culture’ on the Friday morning.
There was a free walking tour of the old town with knowledgeable guide Martyna explaining the turbulent history of Lithuania down through the centuries.
The return flight landed at Liverpool with a coach waiting to take the tired but delighted Jailer Tours team back up the road.
Trip organiser Craig Mailer and entertainments convener Ronnie Hutcheson had laid on a full package of activities to stop travellers wearying.
It included What’s in the Box, with a top prize of hospitality at McDiarmid Park, donated by St Johnstone chairman Steve Brown, a karaoke competition, won by Stephen Gray, of Kirriemuir, as well as music from DJ Tommy Kennedy, of St Madoes, and complimentary refreshments and snacks.