The Legend of the Ameland Tricksters - VVV Ameland

The Legend of the "Amelander Schalken" Ameland Tricksters

Long ago, when life on Ameland was harsh and the islanders depended on the whims of the sea, a story unfolded that is still whispered in the wind around the island.

The Story of the Ameland Tricksters

In those days, beachcombing was not a pastime but a harsh necessity. Everything the sea provided – whether wood, ropes, or precious cargo – was welcomed with open arms by the islanders. Ships that perished on the treacherous sandbanks of the Sea left their treasures behind on the shore. But where valuable goods washed ashore, there were always looters lurking nearby.

Wood Thieves

The islanders were particularly wary of the wood thieves from nearby Terschelling. Time and again, shadows of unknown men appeared on the beaches of Ameland, their eager hands snatching up timber from shipwrecks. Rumour had it that, under the cover of darkness, they even hauled small boats laden with cargo back to their own island. For the Amelanders, who needed every beam to build their houses and boats, this was a grave insult.

Clear night

On a clear night, under the light of a cold full moon, three Ameland Tricksters (beachcombers) decided that enough was enough. Silently, they devised a daring plan. In a small, swift boat, they crossed over to Terschelling, where the rival beachcombers had unsuspectingly left their loot on the shore. The three men waited until the night was at its darkest and stole away with three heavy beams. These beams were not just any find – they symbolised the theft that the Amelanders had endured time and again.

The warning

With the beams securely fastened to their boat, the men sailed back to Ameland. Once home, they dragged the beams to the dunes between Hollum and Ballum. There, they built a gallows – a provocative symbol, meant as a warning to anyone who dared to steal from the Amelanders again.

Legend has it that the people of Terschelling were furious but never again dared to set foot on Ameland.

Coat of arms and flag

Rhyme

Over the years, the story was captured in a rhyme that lives on to this day:

De Amelander schalken,
Hebben gestolen drie balken.
Des avonds in de maneschijn,
Daarom zal dit hun wapen zijn.

The Ameland Tricksters,
Stole three beams one night.
Beneath the shining moon so bright,
Thus their coat of arms took flight.

The three beams and the waxing moon from the rhyme remain in Ameland’s coat of arms and flag, a proud symbol of the islanders' resourcefulness and determination.

The statue of the tricksters

In Hollum, near the old village centre, stands a remarkable relief that honours this legend. The artwork, created by David van Kampen, depicts three figures, each carrying a heavy beam, bathed in the mysterious light of the moon. The sculpture was donated to the municipality of Ameland in 1984.

When you look at the relief, you can almost feel the spirit of the Tricksters. You see their perseverance and pride, but also their determination to protect their island and community. The sculpture serves as a reminder that the strength of Ameland lies not only in its nature or the sea but, above all, in the people who inhabit and cherish the island.

Location of the tricksters' statue

Platsoenstraat 1
9161 BM Hollum

More about beachcombing

Rixt van het Oerd

There is another well-known beachcomber tale deeply rooted in the history of Ameland: the story of Rixt of the Oerd. This legendary figure from Buren is infamous for her cunning and sinister ways of causing shipwrecks, allowing her to claim the washed-up goods. Curious about her story?

Read all about it on the page about Rixt of the Oerd >>

An age-old tradition

Beachcombing has been a tradition on Ameland for centuries and is an important part of the island’s history. Would you like to learn more about this unique and adventurous activity?

Read all about beachcombing on Ameland >>