The Kirkwall Ba’ is a mass-football game played out in the streets of the town every Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. The game pits two rival “factions” against each other to secure a goal and win the game for either the Uppies or the Doonies.
Every Christmas Eve and Hogmanay, householders and shopkeepers along Kirkwall’s winding central streets can be seen barricading doors and windows in preparation for the following days’ Ba’ games.
