Scotland is set to mark its men’s national team’s return to the World Cup with a proposed public holiday after qualification for the tournament for the first time since 1998.
First Minister John Swinney has proposed that 15 June be designated a national bank holiday, following Scotland’s opening World Cup match against Haiti in Boston in the early hours of Sunday 14 June. The proposal will be formally confirmed once approved by the King.
Speaking in Glasgow, Swinney said: “The whole nation will come to a standstill in June - even more so in July once we've seen off Brazil and progressed to the knockout stages.
“This is a moment 28 years in the waiting - and I want as many people as possible to share the occasion.”
He added that the occasion would help Scotland “to attract business development, to create tourism and hospitality interest within the country and to make deep and lasting cultural and sporting connections”.
Only public sector workers employed by the Scottish Government would be guaranteed the day off, depending on their contracts, with decisions for private-sector employers left to individual businesses.
Bank holidays do not have to be given as paid leave, and there is no requirement for businesses to close.
Scotland will also face Morocco on 19 June and Brazil on 24 June in its remaining group fixtures in the United States.