EXCITEMENT is ramping up as Scotland prepares for the opening match of the Euros in Munich on Friday.
And no more so than in Edinburgh which is officially twinned with Bavaria’s capital and has its beautiful coat of arms proudly displayed in Munich’s town hall.
It’s a symbol of the mutual love of both countries and the Tartan Army can be sure of a warm welcome from Germany’s beer capital.
Twinned since 1954, the bond was made deeper in 2017, when the then first minister Nicola Sturgeon pledged enhanced economic co-operation with Bavaria as she signed a joint declaration with the German state.
The agreement builds on existing relationships between Scotland and Bavaria and aims to support further co-operation on business, enterprise, innovation and research projects.
And Bavarians, like many Scots, want to be an independent country, with support for the idea rising with a third pledging their allegiance to an independent Bavaria.
As the Tartan Army gets ready to march into Munich, there’s plenty to get excited about as the Bavarian capital prepares to welcome its brothers in arms.
Beer will be high on the list of priorities for many fans, and Munich has vats of the stuff, from white-top wheat to light and drinkable pilsners.
However, only six breweries in the city – Hofbräu, Spaten-Franziskaner, Augustiner, Hacker-Pschorr, Paulaner and Löwenbräu – are allowed to say they produce “Münchner Bier” (Munich Beer).
There are, of course, plenty of places to drink in too, from glorious gardens to cosy taverns. Beer for breakfast is on the menu at the Schneider Bräuhaus in the heart of the city, where weisswurst, a pale and tender Bavarian sausage made from minced veal, pork and seasonings, all crammed into pork casings and best eaten with a soft home-made Brezn or pretzel and washed down with Weissbier (wheat beer) is served.
Before fridges were invented, this was only eaten in the morning and that tradition continues, with servings up to noon.
Close by, the 16th-century Hofbräuhaus tavern is said to be the most famous of its kind in the world and spread out over three floors. If you look closely, you can spot the names and messages carved into the wood which date back as far as 1897.
Richelbräu is a hobby brewery, which doubles up as a cultural community space, with film screenings and bicycle beer tours. Easy to spot in the quiet Neuhausen neighbourhood, thanks to its yolk-coloured exterior; it’s a great place to stop off.
And the secret beer bar of Stehausschank in Augustenstraße is a great time warp of bygone Bavaria. The traditional standing bar serves the finest Augustiner, tapped fresh from oak barrels and is where office workers rub shoulders with tourists.
Night owls can enjoy the classic party street in Schwabing near the Münchner Freiheit or head to the districts around the Gärtnerplatz, near the Schlachthof or the Werksviertel-Mitte at the Ostbahnhof, for some serious fun.
Munich is known for its LGBTQ+ community and on June 22 will see the annual pride parade, which sets off at noon from the Marienplatz. Other venues can be found in the Glockenbachviertel district.
When it’s time for a spot of culture, fans have plenty to choose from in this architectural gem of a city, which like Edinburgh, has some real beauties in it.
With 1.6 million people living in Munich, it’s a busy city to get around, and one of the best ways to see Germany’s third-biggest city quickly is via the Big Bus Tour whose routes take you around the most famous routes including where all the Bayern Munich players live.
There’s much to see in and around Marienplatz. The city’s major square since 1158 is surrounded by much beauty, including the English Garden. Created in 1789, it stretches across the city and has an impressive 25-metre Chinese tower, as well as a Japanese tea garden and the Eisbach Wave for surfers to use.
Central is the majestic New Town Hall where Edinburgh’s coat of arms is proudly displayed at its entrance. Built in the late 1800s as the old building was deemed too small, the neo-Gothic beauty was designed not to overpower royal residences, but is hauntingly impressive and dominates the area which is central to many cultural events.
Don’t miss the glockenspiel show which chimes and re-enacts stories from the 16th century.
Shoppers can enjoy the Vitualienmarkt in the heart of the old town, this original farmer’s market now sells traditional Bavarian products and souvenirs.
One sight which is a must is the stunning Nymphenburg Palace. Serving as the summer residence for the Bavarian rulers, it’s a beautiful building with extensive grounds.
Car enthusiasts can tour the mighty BMW Museum, housed in a state-of-the-art modern building and crammed full of exhibitions charting the rise of the company, as well as some spectacular models from years gone by, up to today’s. A nearby showroom gives you a chance to drool over your dream motor.
The Deutsches Museum is one of the largest science and technology museums in the world and has lots of hands-on activities for young and old.
The Tartan Army can fill their sporting boots with a tour of Bayern Munich’s stadium, home to England captain Harry Kane. As well as wandering around the impressive arena, there is a chance to take a look around the trophy room of this famous team which was founded in 1900.
Munich also played host to the Olympic Games in 1972 and the Olympic Park is now used for cultural, religious and musical events. One of the more quirky things you can do is climb the roof and get stunning views.
If the city is too much, Munich is just a stone’s throw away from the Bavarian Alps and lakes. The Herzogstand Mountain is the nearest and can be reached by cable car, with the reward of stunning landscape which matches the beauty of home for the Tartan Army and is just one more reason why Scotland and Germany are linked so closely.
Plan your trip via www.munich.travel, www.germany.travel and www.uefa.com/euro2024/event-guide/munich/stadium/.
