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Motion · S6M-20310 · 6 Jan 2026

Ba' Honours Even For the Uppies and Doonies

Lodged by Liam McArthur (Scottish Liberal Democrats) Standard Motion 28 supporters

The motion

That the Parliament congratulates the winners of the Christmas Day 2025 and New Years' Day 2026 Ba' that took place in Kirkwall and saw two wins apiece for both the Uppies and Doonies after four hard-fought games; understands that the Ba' is a game dating back to 1650, played between two teams comprised traditionally of men from either side of Kirkwall, with the Uppies being men from 'up the gates', and Doonies being men from 'down the gates', and the aim of which is to carry a hand-crafted leather ball, known as the ba', to either team's respective goals; notes that the Christmas Day Boys' Ba' and Men's Ba' were both claimed by the Doonies, with Stanley McKinlay declared the winner of the Boys' game for his fantastic efforts and Danny Bain declared winner of the Men's game, after which he was awarded the ba' he himself had crafted; recognises that the Uppies gained their revenge at New Year when they came out victorious during both the Boys' Ba' and Men's Ba', with Balfour Williamson named the winner of the Boys' game after the longest ever game lasting an astonishing eight-and-a-half hours, and James Baillie emerging as a well-deserved winner of the Men's game, and congratulates all those involved in all four games for their incredible efforts, and for helping to preserve and promote an important part of Orcadian tradition and culture. 

Supporters (28)

Source: the Scottish Parliament motions and amendments record.