Settlement

Finds from the Neolithic period have been made in Søla. In more recent times, there was probably a settlement here before the Black Death (1350). House plots at Harphaugen, in the south of the island, may indicate that the first farm was located here. After the Black Death, the island remained deserted until the 1500s. Then a farm was established in the sheltered and lush bay in the northwest of the island. The Søla families have lived here for generations. Before 1900, there were two residential houses in Søla. After the turn of the century, two families lived in the large farmhouse, which is still standing. The Søla children went to school at Valla on Vega after 1900. In 1970, the last residents moved from Søla. Today, the island is used as a holiday resort. The barn has been demolished, but the farmhouse has been restored and the owners have built five cabins.

Industrial base

Søla had about 40 acres of cultivated land and there was plenty of grazing land on the island. The livestock has always been larger than what was common on the other islands. The farm had six to eight cows and young cattle, horses, oxen and pigs. They also kept chickens and sold the eggs on Vega. In addition, they grew a lot of potatoes, with an annual production of 200-300 crates of 40 kilos, which were sold on the other islands.

Fishing took place around the island and in Lofoten during the seasons. Fishermen from Vega lodged in the house or in a rorbu set up by fishermen from Viksås on Vega. There has always been good herring fishing in Sølasundet.

The island is old copper fortified. We can still see ring walls at Søla and Sulingen, places where hunters hid and scouted for seals and otters. On the main island there are also stone walls that were used in connection with eagle hunting.

Søla once had Europe's most northerly wild goat population. In the 1930s, the population was up to 40 animals. To prevent inbreeding, the owners imported bucks. The goats were hunted and the meat was a good addition to their diet. The tribe died out in the 1960s and 1970s after the authorities refused to allow the owners to release new bucks.

Snow values

Søla is part of the Hysvær/Søla landscape conservation area. The protected area encompasses a large island area consisting of the large archipelago of Hysvær and Søla. The landscape conservation area is very varied; Hysvær consists of a number of flat, grassy islands, while Søla with its 432 meters above sea level stands in stark contrast to this. There are also major variations in terms of bedrock. While in Hysvær there is a large amount of calcareous mica slate, which results in rich vegetation, Søla has granite and much poorer vegetation.

Hysvær and Søla are two of the areas in Vegaøyan with the longest continuity in terms of grazing and mowing, and there is still active farming in the area. As a result, the landscape here is less characterized by overgrowth species such as meadowsweet than other island groups. There are no guided boat trips to Søla, but the landowners have a quay on the north side where visitors can moor. Voluntary quay fee, but visitors are encouraged to make a contribution to the maintenance of the quay.

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Source

"Vegaøyan World Heritage. Cultural history travel book." by Inga E. Næss and Rita Johansen.