Vaila facts for kids
| Norse name | Valey |
|---|---|
| OS grid reference | HU213462 |
| Coordinates | 60°12′N 1°35′W / 60.20°N 1.58°W |
| Physical geography | |
| Island group | Shetland |
| Area | 327 hectares (1.26 sq mi) |
| Area rank | 82 |
| Highest elevation | 95 metres (312 ft) |
| Administration | |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Country | Scotland |
| Council area | Shetland Islands |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 2 |
| Population density | 0.6 people/km2 |
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Vaila is an island in Shetland, Scotland. It is located south of the Westland peninsula of the Shetland Mainland. The island is about 327 hectares (1.26 square miles) in size. Its highest point is 95 meters (312 feet) tall.
Vaila has an organic sheep farm. It is also known for its mountain hares.
Island History
People have lived on Vaila for thousands of years. Scientists have found remains from the Neolithic (New Stone Age) and Bronze Age here.
Older buildings on the island include the Mucklaberry Castle tower. This tower was fixed up in the 1890s.
In 1490, a family called Ciske divided their land. Vaila and Foula became the property of Alv Knutsson. However, the Ciskes were from Norway. Scotland had taken over Shetland a few decades before. This caused confusion about who truly owned the island.
In the 17th century, a writer named Martin Martin wrote down a strange folk tale:
The people of Vaila say that no cat will live there. If a cat is brought to the island, it will try to go to sea rather than stay. They say a cat was seen on the island about fifty years ago. No one knew how it got there. Around the same time, the island's owner was in great pain. People thought it was because of witchcraft. They say he died from it. No cat has been seen on the island since he died, except when people brought them for experiments.
In 1837, Arthur Anderson chose Vaila as the base for his Shetland Fishery Company. He was a co-founder of a big shipping company called P&O. This company helped local fishermen. It also reduced the power of landlords over the fishing industry. The writer John Sands lived on Vaila for a while in the late 1800s.
Vaila Hall was built in the 1890s by Herbert Anderton. He was a mill owner from Yorkshire, England. Many people think it is one of the most beautiful mansions in all of Shetland. It includes an older house built in 1696. Stone and workers were brought from England. Decorations came from even further away. For example, the stone griffins might have come from Germany.
The Anderton family owned the island until 1993.
Island Geography and Geology
The island's rocks are mostly dark grey sandstone. This type of rock is found in nearby Walls. It formed 400 million years ago. Glaciers later shaped the land. There is also some granite rock in the southeast near Gaada Stacks.
Vaila has five small streams, called burns. There are also four ponds on the island. This means the island has plenty of water.
The south end of the island is higher. It has a hill called Ward Hill. This is a common name for hills in the Northern Isles. Ward Hill is divided into West Ward (81 meters or 266 feet), Mid Ward, and East Ward (95 meters or 312 feet).
There are several caves in the south and west of the island. Natural arches can be seen on the east and west coasts.
To the northwest is Wester Sound. Easter Sound is to the east. Vaila Sound is to the north. It contains one of the many Shetland islands named Linga.
See also
In Spanish: Vaila para niños
