Why are Scotland fans putting traffic cones on statues in Boston?

Here is the latest breaking news from around the world: Why are Scotland fans putting traffic cones on statues in Boston? 11 hours ago Share Save Add as preferred on GoogleClaire ThomsonandMegan Bonar , ScotlandPA MediaScotland fans have taken inspiration from the Duke of Wellington statue in Glasgow for their World Cup outfitsDescribed as the "birthplace of the American Revolution", Boston's streets are teeming with monuments and landmarks that tell the story of the nation's history. And they're now experiencing something of a makeover.

Scotland fans visiting the city for the World Cup have been decorating its statues with bright orange traffic cones, much to the bemusement of locals. The practice is familiar to anyone from Glasgow, where the Duke of Wellington statue at the Gallery of Modern Art has been wearing a cone at a jaunty angle since the 1980s. It's a mischievous visual ingrained in Glasgow's identity - and was even a source of inspiration for the graffiti artist Banksy.

The Details

The Arms of Friendship statue has been decorated with traffic conesAn estimated 20,000 to 30,000 Scotland fans travelled to Boston for Scotland's opening match against Haiti last week - which ended in a 1-0 victory. Anticipation for their second match against Morocco on Friday is building and the conical pranks are perhaps an indication of high spirits. The Arms of Friendship statue at Charlestown Navy Yard received the traffic cone treatment earlier this week.

Designed by Gillie and Marc Schattner, the artwork features a 36ft (11m) long bronze octopus holding up a number of the world's endangered animals including an elephant and a gorilla. PA MediaScotland fans enjoyed the traffic cone treatment given to legendary basketball player Bill RussellA couple of miles to the east on Faneuil Hall Square is a statue of the beloved former mayor of Boston, Kevin White. The Democrat served four terms, from 1968 to 1984, at a tumultuous time of racial conflict in the city.

According to the Boston Globe, White governed in a "grand manner" and there was debate about whether the 10ft statue was tall enough when it was installed in the mid 2000s. Perhaps the Tartan Army thought he deserved an extra foot or two. Kevin White and his cone on Faneuil Hall SquareA similar treatment was given to the statue of Boston Celtics basketball legend Bill Russell at City Hall Plaza.

What Experts Say

Brendan McGillicuddy, 26, from Boston, told the he admired the statue's new addition on his way to work. "I welcome it," he said. "I have no idea what it means but it's a nice little symbol of Scotland.

"It's a mark to say Scotland was here. I never realised it was a thing before the World Cup. I'd heard of the Tartan Army but not the cone thing.

I'm here for it though. "Bostonian Brendan thoroughly enjoyed the 'symbol of Scotland'By Wednesday afternoon, Boston authorities had started to remove the traffic cones from statues - but fans are still keeping the momentum going in their own way.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.