‘Impromptu diplomatic meeting’: Soccer fans get Waltham welcome

When Scottish soccer fans Kieran Wilson and Calum Walker planned their trip to the World Cup, they weren’t sure how much they would enjoy their stay outside of Boston.

But thanks to friendly locals, and a chance encounter at Waltham City Hall, the pair received a mayoral welcome on June 15 that they won’t soon forget.

When the pair stopped in at City Hall, they didn’t just get to meet Mayor Jeannette McCarthy — she showed them around City Hall, took them on a walking tour of the city, brought them to a fire station, and even bought them ice cream.

“We are so happy we decided to stay in Waltham,” Wilson told the MMA. “The city had such an amazing sense of community. … We are beyond grateful for the hospitality that the mayor, all the people at City Hall and the Waltham Fire Department showed us.”

Wilson commemorated the “impromptu diplomatic meeting” in an Instagram video, while the city posted a photo of the mayor posing with Wilson and Walker with the message, “Mayor McCarthy had a lovely visit with two Scottish lads from Glasgow today!”

The success of the World Cup in Massachusetts reflected the hard work that many municipalities put into planning and logistics, public safety arrangements and watch parties. But when the Tartan Army of 50,000 or so Scottish fans descended on the region, along with soccer enthusiasts from around the world, communities also made fans feel welcome.

Wilson said that he and his friend enjoyed meeting many friendly Waltham residents during their week-long stay.

“Everyone was so excited to meet us and to cheer on Scotland,” he said, as they stopped for breakfast at local institutions such as Juanita’s Kitchen and In a Pickle Restaurant.

“Will definitely be back one day,” Wilson said.