vegaøyan world heritage

Store Emårsøy

Store Emårsøy located north-northeast of Vega, between the old trading post Tåvær and the school island Skogsholmen .

Store Emårsøy . Directly behind is Stakkøya. Behind it again you can just barely see Kilværet. Photo: Ina Andreassen

Inside the Nordland House. Photo: Hanne Pernille Andersen

The Nordland house that Vega Kystgård has restored. Photo: Hanne Pernille Andersen

The barn was moved from Vega to Store Emårsøy The one on Vega fit perfectly with the foundation of the old one that had stood there. Photo: Rita Johansen

Nordlandshuset before restoration. Photo: Rita Johansen

Gisle and Turid, who run Vega Kystgård. Photo: Rita Johansen

Gisle with Nordland cattle on it Store Emårsøy Photo: Rita Johansen

Turid and Gisle have Nordland cattle grazing on Store Emårsøy Photo: Rita Johansen

Completely restored barn. Photo: Rita Johansen

Store Emårsøy Photo: Rita Johansen

Here is located Store Emårsøy on the right in the picture. On the left are Liss Emårsøy, Magnetholmen and Stakkøya. In the background you can just make out Tåvær Photo: Inge Ove Tysnes

In recent years, the old homestead has been Store Emårsøy built by Turid Næss and Gisle Ebbesen as Vega Kystgård. They are farmers on Vega and have carried out extensive restoration work on the island With stories, songs and a taste of traditional food, visitors can experience a historical journey and get an impression of how the fishermen lived from the 19th century to the present day. Group visits must be arranged in advance.

The younger generation in the family is responsible for traditional haymaking in the summer and in recent years they have welcomed schoolchildren who learn about how one could previously survive out in the archipelago by being self-sufficient.

Settlement

Store Emårsøy was a smallholding from about 1780 to 1905. In the 20th century there was only one small farm on the island , with a couple of cows and some sheep. Fishing was the main industry, while seal and otter hunting, egg and down gathering were important secondary industries.

In 1957, the last family left the island , boathouse and barn were demolished, and the house stood in disrepair. Life on Emårsøy is well documented with photos of the last family that lived on the island Several of the pictures are hanging on Skogsholmen Guesthouse.

Want to know more?

Following this link will take you to a page with further recommended reading.

Source

“ Vegaøyan World Heritage. Cultural History Travel Book .” by Inga E. Næss and Rita Johansen.