Customers recommend where to stay, eat and what to do in Orkney

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THE ORKNEY BA GAME - On Christmas Eve and Hogmanay, Kirkwalls shopkeepers barricade their doors and windows for the following days' ba' games. The Kirkwall Ba' is played in the streets of the town every Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Uppies and Doonies or "Up the Gates" and "Doon the Gates"players form a mass scrum infront of St Magnus Cathedral and a leather ba is thrown on the one o' clock Cathedral bell. The Uppie goal is to touch the ba' against a wall in the south end of the town, while the Doonies have the task of getting the ba' into the water of Kirkwall Bay, to the north. There are no rules and it can get very rough, although unbelievably there are few injuries. A large crowd always watches with some spectators pushing on the outskirts. If you wish to read more about the history of the Ba then visit http://www.orkneyjar.com/tradition/bagame/index.html
or vist youtube and watch 'Kirkwall Ba videos' http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FUENABS6o8

THE ST MAGNUS FESTIVAL- Orkney's annual celebration of the arts. Founded in 1977 by Orkney's distinguished resident composer Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, the Festival has grown from small beginnings into one of Britain's most highly regarded and adventurous arts events. The unique combination of world-class performance, community participation of the highest quality and the magic of Orkney at midsummer attracts audiences from throughout Britain and further afield; many return year after year. Though musical events are at the heart of the artistic programme, the Festival also encompasses drama, dance, literature and the visual arts.
CONTACT-The Festival box office- Which is open for postal and in-person bookings from Monday 7th May, and for telephone bookings on Tuesday 8th May 07. Opening hours 7th to 12th May and 11th to 27th June: Monday - Saturday 10am-5pm 14th May to 9th June: Monday-Saturday 11am-3pm Please note that tickets will not be on sale at the Tourist Information Centres. By post, using the booking form, to: St Magnus Festival Box Office, 60 Victoria Street, Kirkwall, Orkney KW15 1DN. By telephone, to +44 (0) 1856 871445. website- http://www.stmagnusfestival.com/