In pictures: Inside celebrity Tartan Army party in Germany

Show Bavaria how Scots party? It’s all in the Line Of Duty for actor Martin Compston as he leads the singing at the Isarpost building in Munich on the eve of the opening game.

Before the disappointment of Scotland’s Euro 2024 defeat to Germany, the rich and the famous raised the roof in Munich at a charity fundraiser and emulated the legendary World Cup celebrations in Paris back in 1998.

We had exclusive access to the star-studded party, featuring Sir Alex Ferguson, Ally McCoist, Martin Compston, David Coulthard, Amy Macdonald and more…

If Carlsberg did contact books, then this is the kind of celebrity party you would be able to throw….

Everywhere you looked, an icon of sport, business or showbiz was swapping favourite tales about Scotland games from the past.

Ally McCoist with Sir Alex. — Ally McCoist with Sir Alex Ferguson.

Ally McCoist was there, along with long-standing mate, the comedian Fred MacAulay. Who is that chatting to former Scotland rugby captain Gavin Hastings? It’s the Formula 1 racing driver, David Coulthard, of course, resplendent in his magnificent Highland ensemble.

All the while, German waitresses in their traditional Bavarian drindls (dress) rush by, offering pretzel necklaces and curly-moustached gentlemen in lederhosen say they would be very happy to fetch you a fresh beer.

A recreation of 1998

The stunning location was the red-brick Isarpost building in Munich, the night before Scotland’s opening Euro match with Germany.

Photographer and philanthropist David Yarrow wanted to re-create the night of the Buddha Bar, the legendary party in Paris on the evening before Scotland opened the 1998 World Cup.

Then, guests like actors Ewan McGregor and Sean Connery ate and drank long into the night, as fans partied like it was 1999 outside in the Place de la Concorde.

Ally McCoist and Fred MacAulay on stage.

Said David, 56: “Sadly, we don’t have Sir Sean tonight and Ewan couldn’t make it, but I think we have done alright tonight.”

Sir Alex Ferguson would probably agree. He told us exclusively: “The Sunday Post is my favourite paper. I’ve been reading it since I was a boy and still get it delivered every week.”

Just one table away was celebrated businessman Sir Tom Hunter. And, on the next table, right up next to the stage, was fridge tycoon Lord Willie Haughey and his friend, businessman James Mortimer.

His dining partner was Line Of Duty actor Martin Compston, who declared: “I am just delighted to be here.”

Certainly, he was word-perfect with all of the Scots anthems being belted out by Skerryvore, the Scottish Celtic rock band, and Johnny Mac, who has toured with Rod Stewart.

Compston belted out with passion the classic Dougie MacLean song, Caledonia.

Famous faces

If you had an autograph book, it would be nearly full by now. Eilidh Barbour, the Sky Sports presenter, cut through the throng in her red mini-kilt. Former Rangers manager and Aberdeen footballer Alex McLeish gave a wave as he headed for the toilet.

Amy Macdonald apologised to the Sunday Post for not singing. She explained: “I’m just back from the Maldives and I’ve got jet lag.” She was in the company of another former ‘Ger, husband Richard Foster.

Former Rangers footballer Steven Thompson and ex-Ibrox star Richard Foster with his wife, Amy MacDonald.

Despite the glamour, there was a serious part to the night. Scottish mental health charity Street Soccer Scotland was chosen by the David Yarrow Family Foundation to benefit from the proceeds.

It uses football-inspired training to empower people on the fringes of society.

‘Ferguson announced the team while wearing Viking horns and Sean Connery was dancing’: The greatest Tartan Army party set to go again for Euros

At £700-a-head for a ticket – plus the proceeds of a lavish auction – they stood to gain a staggering £550,000.

Someone paid £160,000 for a limited edition copy of David Yarrow’s iconic 1886 World Cup picture of Argentine legend Diego Maradona.

David Coulthard told us: “I have travelled the world for 30 years and I’ve had a Saltire on my helmet since the age of 11.

“I am a proud Scot. It’s an identity thing. When I go anywhere in the world and they discover I’m Scottish, people are immediately welcoming.”

And did we mention the headline act was Travis?

Any fears that this German night for Euro 2024 did not live up to the challenge of France ’98 can now be knocked into a cocked – and feathered – Bavarian hat.