Munich is so Scottish: Kilts at the Oktoberfest and a whisky vicar

Scottish fan says "Thank you Munich"

The UEFA EURO 2024 kicked off on Friday with the opening match between Germany and Scotland. Thousands of fans from the island came to the Bavarian capital for the occasion - and obviously felt at home. One of them, Neil L., has now taken the time to thank Lord Mayor Dieter Reiter for the hospitality of the people of Munich:

Scotland at the opening match in Munich

"Ceud mìle fàilte", Scottish Gaelic for "Welcome!", is what you can shout to the Scottish supporters when you meet them in Munich.

Thousands of fans came to Munich from the island. Anyone who has ever experienced the Scottish supporters knows what an outstanding atmosphere they create. But you don't have to wait until the European Championships to find traces of Scotland in our city. You can find them every day and everywhere in Munich!

• For real fans: the country portrait in Gaelic

Scottish culture: Wearing the kilt to the Oktoberfest

Almost everyone who has ever experienced the Oktoberfest costume parade will have spotted the Claymore Pipes and Drums there. Founded in 1976 at Marienplatz in Munich, the bagpipers can look back on decades of success. They have performed at concerts by music legends Rod Stewart and Mike Oldfield, among others. You can still see them live today, not only at the Oktoberfest, but also at the big St. Patrick's Day parade in Munich on March 17.

If you are interested in Scottish dancing, you should visit the Munich Scottish Association, which was founded in 1973. Scottish country dances or Highland dances are practiced and danced here every week. Anyone can join in!

The Munich Caledonians are also dedicated to sharing Scottish culture. Meetings are organized several times a year where you can learn a lot about Scottish traditions and enjoy typical Scottish hospitality.

Scotch whisky: A Munich priest is Keeper of the Quaich

Did you know that there has been a "whisky service" at St. Michael's Church at Munich's Pflanzeltplatz since 2017? No joke! It really is all about Scotland, Celtic spirituality and whisky. The service is of course accompanied by Scottish music.

The whole thing is organized by the vicar of Perlach, Wolfgang F. Rothe, who can call himself the "Keeper of the Quaich" due to his services to Scottish whisky culture. A title already held by former US President Ronald Reagan, acting legend Sean Connery and the British King Charles III.

Would you like to try Scotch whisky and other Scottish specialties? There is no purely Scottish pub in Munich. However, in the numerous pubs in the city, such as Kennedy's or Kilians in the city center or The Keg Bar in Schwabing, Scotch whiskies have their well-deserved place on the drinks menu. And by the way, the most important football matches are usually broadcast there too.

Scottish friendship: Edinburgh is Munich's first partner city

Munich now has eight partner cities, but the first came from Scotland. Munich and the Scottish capital Edinburgh have been partner cities since 1954, which came about through a meeting between two city school councillors. The Deputy Director of Edinburgh and his Munich counterpart decided to exchange groups of teachers and pupils, which Munich's Lord Mayor Thomas Wimmer and his Edinburgh counterpart Lord Provost John G. Banks also thought was a great idea. The town partnership was thus sealed and since then there have been regular exchange programs and competitions between the two cities.

To mark the 70-year-old partnership, a very special gift was presented from Munich in 2023: Sculptor Thomas Hildenbrand built a spectacular nativity scene, which was presented to the public in Edinburgh's town square.

And then there is a royal footnote: Munich-born Franz of Bavaria, head of the former Bavarian ruling house of Wittelsbach, would theoretically have a claim to the British crown and therefore the Scottish throne. At least that is the view of the Jacobites, who do not recognize the British right of succession to the throne. Franz of Bavaria is a distant descendant of the Stuarts, who were King of England between 1603 and 1714 and, in the eyes of the Jacobites, should still sit on the throne in Buckingham Palace today. Of course, Franz of Bavaria never asserted this supposed claim and describes it for what it is: a curiosity.

Scottish personalities: Whether sport or music - the Scottish all-rounders

One of Scotland's best female footballers is earning her money in Munich: Samantha Kerr, captain of the Scottish national team, has been playing for FC Bayern since 2023. After winning five Scottish League titles and being named Scotland's female footballer of the year in 2022, she is now looking for a new challenge in Munich.

Her compatriot Liam Morrison is under contract with FC Bayern's second team, but is currently on loan to English third division club Wigan Athletic. He is unlikely to be involved in the European Championships, even though he used to play for Scotland's junior national teams.

Alan McInally also has a place in Munich's football history books: the Scot was a striker for FC Bayern from 1989 to 1992 and became German champion there in 1990.

Bob Ross is known far beyond Munich's city limits. The multi-talented musician is not only a horn player with the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra, but also a conductor, entertainer and presenter. He is also the founder of the Munich ensemble Blechschaden, which is known for its energetic performances.

Scotland's European Championship record: always out in the preliminary round

This is the Scottish national team's fourth appearance at a European Championship and the "Bravehearts", as they are officially nicknamed, have a clear goal: to finally reach the knockout round. In their three previous appearances, the Scots have always been eliminated in the preliminary round. Incidentally, their first appearance on the big European stage in Sweden in 1992 was against an opponent they will be familiar with: Germany. Back then, the DFB team won 2:0, with Karl-Heinz Riedle and Stefan Effenberg scoring the goals.

The Scottish team today may not have any big stars, but with John McGinn from Aston Villa and Scott McTominay from Manchester United, they have two highly dangerous midfielders. Coach Steve Clarke's team secured qualification for the tournament in Germany with a convincing second place in Group A behind the favored Spaniards and well ahead of the Norwegians with megastar Erling Haaland.

The Scots are staying in Garmisch-Partenkirchen for the European Championships, possibly because the Bavarian Alpine foothills remind them of the Highlands at home.

Scotland's group matches at EURO 2024:

• June 14, 9 p.m. in Munich: Germany - Scotland 5:1
• June 19., 9 p.m. in Cologne: Scotland - Switzerland
• June 23, 9 p.m. in Stuttgart: Scotland - Hungary