Ba’s go on display in Kirkwall town centre
Ba’ makers Danny Bain, George Drever, Edgar Gibson and Sigurd Gibson.
(Picture: www.theorcadianphotos.co.uk)
The skilled craftsmen who create the ba’s which are made to be played for each season came together this week, before the ba’s themselves were displayed in windows in Kirkwall town centre.
With Christmas and New Year’s Day falling on a Sunday, the Ba’ games will be played one day later, Boxing Day and January 2.
The Christmas boy’s ba’ is set to be thrown up by Jim Coltherd and was made by Danny Bain. It is displayed in The Brig Larder. The Christmas men’s ba’ will be thrown up by the winner of 25 years ago, Leslie Manson. It was made by Edgar Gibson and is displayed in the Pipe Band Hall.
The New Year’s boy’s ba’ will be thrown up by Ali Flett. Made by Sigurd Gibson, it is displayed in Lobban’s Butchers. Finally, the New Year’s men’s ba’ will be thrown up by Alan Rorie, also a winner of his ba’ 25 years ago. Made by George Drever, it is displayed at Scapa Travel.
A special two-page Ba’ Season preview is featured within The Orcadian this week.
• As usual, The Ba’ Magazine will be out in the New Year, capturing all the action – in words and pictures – of the four games, as well as featuring a number of other articles related to the traditional Kirkwall game.