By Geoff Webster BBC Scotland Sport correspondent in St Kitts

Defeats by Australia and South Africa were expected, but losing on Thursday to the Netherlands was hard to take.

So often, our sporting failures are described as "gallant losers".

This time, however, we were just rotten on the day.

Scotland lasted two weeks of a tournament that stretches until the final at the end of April.

Scotalnd failed to shine on the World Cup stage

But the time spent in Mombassa, Nairobi and Barbados on the way to St Kitts has given the Scots a real insight to life on the road.

They may be amateurs but for the last couple of months, they have lived as professional cricketers.

They've stayed in the best hotels with every whim catered for.

Every time they leave their hotel, the Scots have two motorcycle outriders, two police cars full of officers and two vans with military guards carrying guns.

But now they return to Scotland and the day jobs such as financial consultants and graphic designers.

Already this tournament has grabbed the headlines with its fair share of tragedy and stupidity following the untimely and suspicious death of Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer and Andrew Flintoff's capers in the waters of the Caribbean.

And Scotland captain Craig Wright had to make the long journey home and back here following the death of his aunt.

It's been a rollercoaster ride for the travelling fans too.

Scotland's John Blain paid tribute to the supporters

Every night, they gather at the beach bars and restaurants, singing and dancing to the Calypso rhythms of the Caribbean, before disappearing in the small hours to their hotels, guest houses or, in some cases, their tents.

The Scots have certainly made an impression at this World Cup and locals have been keen to ask me all about our heritage, the Gaelic language and what it's like to go days on end without seeing sunshine!

But now it's time to say goodbye to this island in the sun.

We'll miss the people, its searing heat, glorious sunsets, freshly-caught fish, succulent fruit and, of course, a measure or two of rum.

As they're fond of saying around these parts - "take it easy, my friend".