'I can't wait to breathe the same air'. Taylor Swift fans flock to Murrayfield Stadium ahead of sold-out Edinburgh shows (2024)

Taylor Swift fans have descended upon Edinburgh as the city gets set to welcome the superstar for her sold out shows at Murrayfield Stadium.

Swift, 34, is bringing The Eras Tour to the UK and will perform in the Scottish capital on Friday, Saturday and Sunday night.

Sky News spoke to some of the fans queuing up outside the stadium for merchandise on Thursday afternoon.

Chrissi Bates, 29, and Brian Anderson, 27, travelled from Massachusetts in the US and arrived on Monday.

The pair, who have never seen Swift perform live before, will be watching her on Sunday.

Chrissi said: "I love Lavender Haze [the song], but I just love her music and her vibe."

Creative inspiration

Brian said Swift changed his life as she inspired him to become a writer.

He added: "I've always loved her since, like, the beginning and I never got to see her in concert, so this was, like, my one chance to make up for all the concerts I never saw."

The two friends have even visited Swift's Rhode Island holiday home.

Chrissi said: "She's iconic and she inspires a lot of people."

Christina Bode, 26, Wiebke Rill, 25, and Tabea Sander, 26, travelled straight to the stadium for merchandise after arriving from Frankfurt in Germany.

Wiebke previously saw Swift in Cologne for The 1989 World Tour in 2015.

'I love you and I would die for you'

Tabea said: "The atmosphere will be great in Scotland. Scottish people are so, so welcoming."

Wiebke added: "And friendly. Just now, we don't know any of these people but they're so nice. You can talk to everyone here in the queue. It's just really nice."

Wiebke, who met Christina at the airport and became "besties immediately", said Swift has fostered a friendly community amongst the Swifties.

Speaking directly to Swift, Christina joked: "I love you and I would die for you."

Nicole Burns, Carly Miller, Ryan Coyle and Olivia Dalton have VIP tickets for Friday night.

The 21-year-olds, from Glasgow, have never seen Swift perform live before and are looking forward to the festivities throughout the whole day.

Mosh-pit plan

The friends plan to get to Murrayfield for 10am in the hope they can make it to the front of the stage.

Speaking directly to Swift, Carly said: "Welcome to Scotland."

The friends added: "Thanks for coming to Scotland. Come back soon."

It will also be the first live performance by Swift attended by Kim Sari and daughter Kevser, 14, who have travelled up from Norfolk for Friday night's show.

The pair, who praised the friendliness of fellow Swifties, arrived on Monday and have been enjoying their time north of the border.

Icelandic Swifties

Kim said: "We've met lots of lovely people. It's such a nice atmosphere. Everyone's happy and smiley, and the sun's out which is perfect."

Emma Lisa Smaradottir, 14, Lara Lovisa Smaradottir, 17, and Emma Gudmundsdottir, 17, flew over from Iceland for Friday's show and will return home on Sunday.

The trio said they "love her so much".

Lara said she adores Swift's music, noting: "It makes me feel understood, I guess."

Lesley Stenning and daughter Danica, 15, travelled from Canada to the south of France for a holiday before making the trip to Scotland.

Danica saw Swift's Reputation Tour in Seattle and can't wait to see her again live on Friday.

She said: "I love her music, I love everything."

Charlotte Kennedy didn't have to travel far as she lives in Edinburgh.

The 28-year-old has been a fan since 2007 and has "grown up with her music".

'I think she's amazing'

Charlotte, who hopes Swift performs Don't Blame Me and Love Story on night one, added: "I think she's amazing. It's amazing how she can do three-and-a-half hour shows for three continuous nights."

Lucy Clark, from Whitburn in West Lothian, was handing out friendship bracelets outside the stadium.

She has tickets for both Saturday and Sunday, adding: "I grew up listening to her music. I hope The Lakes is the surprise song."

Nicola Hewines and daughter Hannah, 21, travelled from Warrington in Cheshire. The pair are going to Friday's show.

'I can't wait to breathe the same air'

Hannah, who has just completed university, said she has been a fan for years and it was Swift that got her "through the pandemic".

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Superfan Casey Paterson, 14, can't wait to "breathe the same air" as Swift.

The teenager, from Fife, was moved to tears when she received a VIP ticket for Saturday's show as a birthday gift last year.

An imitation ticket has been beside her bed since August - in the hands of a memory bear of her grandad who passed away suddenly in 2021 after contracting COVID.

Her mum, Catherine Paterson, said: "My daughter is obsessed with Taylor Swift.

"She has been making friendship bracelets for weeks. I won't miss the mess she makes."

The pair travelled to Murrayfield on Wednesday afternoon to pick up some merchandise.

Ms Paterson said her daughter can't wait to hear Swift sing All Too Well (10 Minute Version).

She added: "My daughter has said she's most excited about breathing the same air as Taylor.

"I'm looking forward to seeing my daughter's dream come true by finally seeing her idol perform live - a memory I'm sure we'll treasure forever."

Read more:
Who is more successful - Taylor Swift or The Beatles?

Earlier this week, Loch Tay was renamed Loch Tay Tay by Heart Radio.

First Minister John Swinney, who represents the Perthshire North region, said he was "thrilled" with the temporary change as he welcomed Swift and all of her Swifties to Scotland.

He added: "She'll get a really warm welcome here and I know all of the Swifties will be so exhilarated by her presence in Scotland."

During the Edinburgh shows, the award-winning singer-songwriter will be supported by American rockers Paramore.

After Edinburgh, Swift will then jet off to Liverpool as she continues her tour which will also take in Cardiff and London.