[6] In 1490, the Ciske family's estates were divided and Vaila and Foula became the property of Alv Knutsson.

However, the Ciskes were Norwegian, and as Scotland had annexed Shetland a few decades before, there were confusing and conflicting claims of ownership.

There is no account that any cat has been seen in the isle ever since that gentleman’s death except when they were carried to it, for making the above-mentioned experiment.

[7] In 1837, Arthur Anderson (the co-founder of P&O), chose the island as the base for his Shetland Fishery Company.

In 1993, the Andertons sold the island to a solicitor, Richard Rowland, and his Polish wife, Dorota Rychlik.

[11] The geology consists of fine dark grey sandstone of the type found in nearby Walls, which was formed 400 million years ago, and subjected to glacial processes.