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Kirkwall Ba’ set to kick off the festive period after two year absence

The Kirkwall Ba' game is returning for the first time since Covid.  Photo by Angus Blackburn/Shutterstock
The Kirkwall Ba' game is returning for the first time since Covid. Photo by Angus Blackburn/Shutterstock

Organisers have confirmed the annual festive Ba’ is set to return to the streets of Kirkwall over the festive period.

Every year, Orcadians play their ancient mass-football street match on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

After two years of the game being cancelled due to Covid, it is returning to Kirkwall’s streets once again.

The game involves a battle between two male teams – the Uppies and the Doonies – to get a handmade leather ball to their respective goals at either end of the town.

The Ba’ is an integral part of Kirkwall’s heritage

A part of Orkney’s festive tradition since at least 1850, whether you were an Uppie or a Doonie depended on which part of town you were born.

Those born to the north of the Cathedral were a Doonies, with Uppies being those born to the south.

In today’s version of the game however, family roots are linked more to people’s decision to be an Uppie or a Doonie than their actual place of birth.

Around 1,000 people come to watch the mass scrum every year. Photo: Photo by Angus Blackburn/Shutterstock.

Each year, around 300 people are involved in the mass scrum. Lasting around five hours, the Kirkwall Ba’ game can attract up to 1,000 spectators.

First thought to have been played by Viking invaders, the game has been cancelled over the last two years due to the covid-19 pandemic.

The Kirkwall Ba’ Committee said at the time it was not an “easy decision” but one that had to be made to protect the wider community.

This is the first time the game had been cancelled since the Second World War.

However, the tradition is set to kick off once again this year reinstating the well-respected game into its spot as an “integral part of Kirkwall’s traditions and heritage”.

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