The Swift impact in Scotland

By Amanda Telfer 

The Eras Tour by Taylor Swift is the highest-grossing concert tour of all time and the first to yield over $1 billion in revenue

Global pop sensation Taylor Swift has been making quite an impact in Scotland, with Edinburgh City Council approving that the capacity of Murrayfield Stadium be extended for the superstar’s three sold-out shows in June. Meanwhile in Greenock, a new 128ft tall crane in Greenock to be named after her following a school competition.

Edinburgh City Council came to the unanimous decision on Monday to increase the capacity of Murrayfield from 67,130 to 72,990 attendees. Tickets for the Cruel Summer singer’s three shows went on sale last summer, with Swifties scrambling to register for the general sale. While many Swifties had success getting tickets during the Midnights pre-sale, many other fans got waitlisted or couldn’t get tickets at all during the general sale. It is hoped that the increase in capacity will allow more Swifties to attend The Eras Tour when it arrives at Murrayfield Stadium on June 7th , 8th and 9th this summer.

Edinburgh isn’t the only place in Scotland taking part in Swiftdom, with a crane in Greenock being named after the Shake It Off singer. Craner Swift is the name of one of the cranes, with the other being named U-Crane Bolt, after the world’s fastest man Usain Bolt. The pair of cranes cost around £25 million and are set to arrive in a few months.

The cranes were named by primary school pupils Avaleigh Lang and Frances McFadden after winning a competition organised by Inverclyde Council and Peelports Clydeport. The cranes are expected to be in operation by the end of the year, with the installation of the cranes being described as “the largest single investment made at the container terminal”.

Port Director at Peelports Clydeport, Jim McSporran said: “They will significantly expand our freight capability at the port, as well as improve efficiency and help significantly reduce our carbon footprint, so it’s a really exciting time for us as a business and also for the local region and west coast of Scotland.”