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The Ba’ – not for lambs – Kirkwall keeps its sporting Nordic roots

(Our youngest members holding a Ba’ each with Ian directly behind them)

The Dunfermline Sporting Memories club enjoyed a unique experience last week with a visit from Ian Gorn, originally from Orkney and still a proud Orcadian, to share some inside information on The Ba’. You read that right, Ba’ is not an abbreviation, that’s the name and has been since time immemorial. 

But what exactly is The Ba’? 

It’s a medieval football type game and in Orkney probably goes back to the Viking and Norse influences. Indeed, Orkney was part of Norway till 1472 before being handed over to Scotland as part of a wedding present. Beats a canteen of cutlery any day! 

Where is the pitch? 

There is no pitch as such. Up until the early 1800’s it was played over an open field but by the 1850’s it was recorded as being played in the streets of Kirkwall (the main town in Orkney) 

When is it played? 

There are only two games each year, Christmas Day and New Years Day. Indeed many Orkney families postpone their festive celebrations until the games are finished. 

How many teams are there? 

Two – the “Uppies” and the “Doonies” 

What on earth are the Uppies and Doonies? 

Going back decades you were either an Uppie or a Doonie depending on which area of the town a player was born but family allegiances and traditions also play a major part in which team someone might play for. 

How many players are in each team? 

There is no exact number but probably in the region of 150 or so in each team 

What! 300+ players 

Yes, that’s right, the game is a sort of mass scrum with the occasional sprint, much pushing and pulling and brilliant fun. 

What are the rules? 

There aren’t any rules really, apart from common good manners in helping a fellow player if they end up in trouble at the bottom of a scrum, pausing if an injury looks to have taken place. It is a very self-managing event with no real troubles attached.  

How is the winner decided? 

Firstly there has to be a winning team and this is the first side to reach their goal. For the Doonies it is to get the ball into Kirkwall Bay. For the Uppies it is the bounce the ball off the gable end of a designated house on Mackinson’s Corner. Once the victorious side has been established, there will follow much debate as to whom the actual Ba’ is awarded from that side. The actual winner will be most likely be someone who has played well for years and been a good representative of the game. Ian was actually fortunate to have been just that person in 2007 when he was awarded the Ba’ – a huge honour for him. 

Is the Ba’ itself just like a football? 

Absolutely not. Only two families in Orkney have the knowledge and skills to make the Ba’s - It is a finely stitched leather ball filled with cork dust to enable it to float in the water, but heavy and sturdy enough to withstand a scrum of several hundred determined men. A Ba’ can cost over £200 

How long is each game? 

However long it takes to reach the ‘goal’. Games can last for hours or minutes. Seven hours is not unheard of with four minutes being the shortest so far. Being so far north in the middle of winter, games are more often than not played into darkness and become quite a spectacle. 

Does each team have a uniform? 

Not really. In days gone by a woolly jumper and trousers sufficed but in more modern times most players wear an old rugby type shirt. Often wearing the same one each year so fellow team mates can identify each other in the scrum. 

Is there any damage to buildings and streets around the game’s area? 

Oh, there might be the odd drain pipe knocked down, wall tumbled over or other minor damage but folks with premises where the game may surge past board up their windows and doors the night before. The teams often meet the night before as well to enjoy a pep talk over a pint or two of their chosen beverage and a collection is taken in advance to help with any repairs needed in the aftermath. 

What about injuries to players? 

(This is Ian’s actual words) “Nothing too serious, just some bruised, cracked or broken ribs, the occasional broken ankle or leg.” So it is all good clean fun then! 

What about the supporters? 

Watch this clip and you will see how vocal they are – The Kirkwall locals turn out in force for the annual event before returning home after the game to resume family festivities and relive the glory or commiserations till the next year. 

Any preparation a player should make? 

“Aye, a hearty bowl of porridge before the start” 

An absolutely fascinating morning and what a superb guest Ian was – thank you!