Stromness Yule Log Pull

The Log Pull at Stromness is a popular community event which was revived in 2017 after a break of 80 years, and it’s a contest in which the Northenders and Soothenders struggle to win a unique tug-of-war in which a huge tree trunk with attached ropes must be pulled to the respective goals. Originally held on Christmas Eve, the event ceased in the 1930s following problems with the sourcing of the logs, vandalism and accusations of bad behaviour, and the revived event has shifted a week to New Year’s Eve which fits well with Hogmanay events like the Kirkwall Ba’ and with the many visitors who come to the islands between Christmas and New Year. Nowadays the log comes from a sawmill rather than being stolen from a local garden, as trees are in short supply, and there are two pulls on the day for different age groups. It’s a gruelling competition and fiercely contested but lasts just a few short minutes, after which the winners are awarded their prizes and the exhausted participants head to the local pub to recover in time for the firework display.

Helpful Hints

It takes place on New Year’s Eve, and there are two competitions, for Juniors and Seniors. Expect a crowd of a couple of thousand spectators on the day. The times given here have been used for the last couple of events but double check with the Facebook page below as it’s a recent revival and may yet evolve.

Click here for the Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/517107802485070/?locale=en_GB#:~:text=on%20Saturday%20

Thanks to Daniel Roth for drawing my attention to this one!

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