Places with a story
Dollsteinhola
Dollsteinhola combines a dramatic cave on Sandsøya with evidence of thousands of years of human use. In Sande, its entrance is an archaeological area as well as the beginning of a dark passage into the mountain, giving the coastal landscape an unusually layered history.
The place1
The cave lies in Dollsteinen at the western end of Sandsøya. Sande municipality describes an entrance about sixty metres above sea level and passages extending nearly two hundred metres into and down through the rock. These measurements help explain why the cave should be approached as a serious cave outing rather than a casual indoor attraction.
History and local connections1
A municipal interview with archaeologist Arve Nytun places the earliest traces of use about six thousand years ago. Finds include animal, bird and fish bones, arrowheads and tools. The cave was used in different periods through the Viking Age; research on material excavated in the 1950s continues to refine interpretations of what people did here.
What to look for1
The entrance offers a way to consider shelter, food and coastal life before later buildings existed. The archaeologist discusses possible ritual meanings in later periods, but these are interpretations rather than proof of one continuous use. Dollsteinhola also appears in the medieval Orkney saga tradition, adding a separate literary layer to its archaeology.
Planning a visit1
The municipality recommends local guides, suitable footwear and clothing that can become dirty. Follow the published route from Skare and check the municipality's linked walking information for current conditions. Respect archaeological remains at the entrance, and arrange appropriate guidance before entering the deeper passages.
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