Bostonians invited to visit Glasgow to see original cone-hatted statue
They were declared sister cities by Boston mayor Michelle Wu after the Tartan Army takeover at the World Cup.
City council officials have invited people from Boston to travel and “experience everything Glasgow has to offer” after the Tartan Army takeover of the US city during the World Cup.
Boston locals have been urged to visit the cone-hatted Duke of Wellington statue outside the Gallery of Modern Art in Glasgow so they can see where the craze that swept the Massachusetts city originated.
The Scottish fans were welcomed during their time in Boston, where local residents seemed entertained by their antics, which included placing traffic cones on many statues around the city in a nod to a Glaswegian tradition.
The tourism campaign was launched after Scotland fans were based in Boston for the team’s first two World Cup matches.
Boston and Glasgow were officially declared sister cities by Mayor Michelle Wu and Massachusetts governor Maura Healey previously encouraged Scots to revisit in future.
Glasgow Lord Provost councillor Jacqueline McLaren has encouraged the US nationals to come over and experience similar hospitality in her city.
She said: “The welcome shown to Scotland supporters in Boston captured people’s imagination and created a genuine connection between our two cities.
“We wanted to respond in a way that reflects Glasgow’s own personality.
“Inviting people to ‘come and see the original’ traffic cone is a light-hearted way of continuing that conversation while showcasing one of the city’s most recognisable landmarks.
“We hope many of those who enjoyed meeting Scotland supporters will now be inspired to come and experience everything Glasgow has to offer.
“As we look ahead, we also hope this friendship continues to grow.
“Glasgow City Council councillors agreed to explore a formal twinning partnership with Boston and we look forward to strengthening the cultural, tourism and civic links between our cities in the years ahead.”
Alex Harvie, head of city marketing at Destination Glasgow, said: “Destination marketing is about recognising opportunities and responding quickly when the moment is right.
“There was enormous goodwill towards Scotland following the tournament and we wanted Glasgow to be part of that conversation while it was still live.
“‘Come and see the original’ is a simple idea that captures Glasgow’s sense of humour, but it also reminds people that behind one famous landmark is a city full of culture, music, food, history and unforgettable experiences.
“This is about building on a genuine connection between Glasgow and Boston, and encouraging more people to discover our city.”