Tartan Army flying to Euros warned wearing kilts and sporrans 'not great' for airport security screening

Scotland fans flying to the Euros next month have been told travelling in kilts and sporrans causes problems at airport security.

The advice from Scotland’s busiest airport came as it gears up for an expected 20,000 passengers travelling to and from the three-week football tournament in Germany.

Scotland plays Germany in the opening game in Munich on Friday June 14, followed by Switzerland in Cologne on Wednesday June 19 and Hungary in Stuttgart on Sunday June 23.

Edinburgh Airport chief executive Gordon Dewar said on Thursday that Scotland’s national dress was "not particularly great for the screening process”.

Mr Dewar said: “Kilts, sporrans and sgian dubhs are not particularly great for the screening process. Don’t put your sgian dubh in your [hand] baggage or don’t take it.

Scotland supporters at the postponed 2020 Euros at Hampden Park in Glasgow in 2021. (Photo by Paul Ellis/AFP via Getty Images) | POOL/AFP via Getty Images

“Just be aware if you are going to have to take your sporran off and reattach it and all the rest of it, it can take a little bit longer, so work with us and we will try to get you away on your journey as quickly and smoothly as possible.”

Mr Dewar also called on fans to give themselves plenty of time to get through the airport because it would be a “busy” period.

But he said: “We are looking forward to welcoming the Scots going through.”

The airport chief said some airlines would be flying larger aircraft to accommodate the extra demand, including to Frankfurt.

Mr Dewar said there would also be special charter flights operating to “an array of different German airports and around”. He said: “There’s lots and lots of ways that Scots will find a way of getting to a game.”

Members of the Tartan Army in Paris in 2007 ahead of Scotland beating France 1-0 in a Euro qualifier. (Photo by Alan Harvey/SNS) | SNS Group 0141 221 3602

Mr Dewar said he would be flying to Brussels Charleroi because of its proximity to the German border.

Glasgow Airport said Easyjet was doubling its Berlin flights to four a week in June and Ryanair would operate flights to Munich and Cologne to coincide with the Scotland games there. Fans are urged in to check in for their flights online before leaving home, and have boarding passes on their phone or printed out. They are also advised to take out health insurance.

Despite the first of a new generation of security scanners being deployed at the Edinburgh Airport, the rules haven’t yet changed, with liquids in hand luggage remaining restricted to 100ml.

However, Mr Dewar said he was “very confident of good throughput” in the seven overall security lanes.

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The airport expects to handle record passenger numbers this year, of more than 15 million - nearly two-thirds more than the 9.2m in 2012.

Over that period, the number of routes from Edinburgh has grown by a similar proportion, from 137 to 231. These include 15 long-haul routes compared to a single one in 2012 to New York Newark.

Mr Dewar said Edinburgh had the highest proportion of inbound passengers - visitors - of any UK airport, which was evenly split with outbound travellers.

He said that compared to next-highest Heathrow, at just over 40 per cent inbound, with no other UK airport close to that.

Edinburgh now describes itself as “Scotland’s Airport”, having overtaken formerly pre-eminent Glasgow in passenger numbers more than 15 years ago.

The east coast airport saw its fourth daily summer New York flight launched last week while Glasgow has had none since 2020.