It’s been *fairly* some time since I’ve visited a verrrry Instagrammy spot or a brand new nation. Howdy Faroe Islands! We known as in right here on the North Atlantic Saga with Journey Canada, spending almost per week within the Faroes; each single day was extraordinary.
I don’t assume I’m far off of the mark once I say that the Faroe Islands weren’t on many individuals’s radars till Instagram blew it up a number of years in the past. Staggering inexperienced sea cliffs, wild landscapes, cute sheep, and puffins made for straightforward storytelling in photos and movies. It takes actual effort to seize ugly photographs right here. It was the brand new Iceland.
Nested between Scotland, Iceland, and Norway, the Faroe Islands are literally self-governing below Denmark. Comprised of 18 predominant islands largely lorded over by birds and sheep, for almost a millennia the Faroes have been very remoted. With a inhabitants of simply over 50,000, whereas small, the Faoes are undoubtedly punching above their weight. This place is unbelievable.
With greater than 70% of the land sitting 200 meters above sea stage, the Faroes are stuffed with beautiful sea cliffs, dwelling to many birds comparable to puffins, guillemots, skuas (the one Faroese phrase within the English language), and the oystercatcher, which occurs to be the nationwide chook. You’re just about assured epic views irrespective of the place you go.
Even after spending a while there, I can safely say that the Faroes stay an enigma. It’s a posh, fascinating place stuffed with nuances which might be onerous to grasp as an informal customer. Possibly this little bit of thriller makes it extra compelling. Ceaselessly a curious individual, I used to be very excited to go to the Faroe Islands with Journey Canada final June.
I spent the northern hemisphere summer time at sea working with Journey Canada in northern Europe, the Arctic and Atlantic Canada. After exploring Scotland for over two weeks, we set sail for the Faroes. Their journey, Scotland, The Faroe Islands, & Iceland: North Atlantic Saga, is without doubt one of the hottest, occurring each different 12 months.
There’s something fairly particular about following within the wake of the Vikings throughout the North Atlantic by sea. Or maybe the Irish monks – there’s now proof to recommend the Faroes have been settled tons of of years earlier than the Norse started to set sail in earnest. The ocean dominates each side of life on the Faroe Islands. To discover it by boat feels symbolic.
The ports are historic; the roads are fashionable. In actual fact, the roads have been higher right here than in New Zealand. I used to be shocked to study that the Faroes have one of many highest GDP per capita in Europe, one of many large the explanation why I personally disagree with their sophisticated stance on whaling.
That being mentioned, we don’t go to governments or choose total nations primarily based on one factor (usually talking). I go to individuals. People. Locations. And I liked the Faroes. There’s nowhere fairly prefer it. Listed here are a few of my favourite photographs from my go to to the Faroe Islands – Get pleasure from!
Vágur
One thing you’ll be able to’t assist however discover upon arriving within the Faroes is the colourful homes. Evidently each city and village has distinct and brightly painted properties, totally different from their neighbors as in the event that they’re outdoing one another. Together with the neon inexperienced panorama and blue seas, it’s onerous to think about a extra colourful nation.
Our first cease with Journey Canada within the Faroe Islands was Vágur, on the island of Suðuroy. A quiet and peaceable place; it’s a bit off the grid, and also you gained’t run into many vacationers right here. It was additionally my first introduction to the brilliant and colourful homes. And to the cute sheep, you see in every single place.
Sheep and the Faroe Islands go hand in hand. Right here, sheep outnumber people (which isn’t onerous since solely 54,000 individuals name the Faroes dwelling), and also you’ll see them in every single place. They’ve been right here because the ninth century, and actually, the Faroese title of the Faroes Island – Føroyar – comes from the previous Norse phrase – Færeyjar – which accurately means Sheep Islands.
The Vikings didn’t get it flawed. Powerful, hardy, and fairly cute sheep pervade life right here, they usually know methods to pose, too.
Tórshavn
Tórshavn, the capital of the Faroe Islands, is small and compact and has the whole lot you’d prefer to see in a metropolis whereas touring. House to a 3rd of the inhabitants, in some ways it feels consultant of Faroese tradition.
Custom mingles with modernity right here. You possibly can stroll down winding alleys between turf roof homes with dried fish swinging within the wind. Across the nook, you’ll discover beautiful artwork galleries, charming cafes, and hip breweries. Historic picket boats, colourful and shiny, nearly dominate the harbor. Traditional woolen Faroese sweaters usually are not solely plentiful however compulsory. Tórshavn stands by itself as a spot price exploring.
The turf roof homes within the Faroe Islands are iconic—you see them in every single place, together with proper in the course of Tórshavn, the capital. Offering insulation in addition to sustaining custom, at 62° North, with the wind and the rain, it is smart. They do want mowing and upkeep. Among the older homes are constructed down into the bottom, making entry simple for hungry sheep.
Gjógv
It appears each village within the Faroes is completely picturesque, and Gjógv is not any exception. To go to the Faroe Islands is to expertise epic landscapes.
Gjógv will get its title from the gorge that cuts into the land, forming a pure harbor. Climbing up the alternative facet of the gorge places its magnificence into perspective, particularly as puffins fly out and in of their burrows alongside the cliffs. This was the place I bought my first up shut and private encounter with these cute birds. There a lot smaller than you assume they’re. And so they look so awkward after they fly with their legs protruding in a floppy means.
A number of of the villages across the Faroe Islands are equally dramatic. Lovely in all climate, any day, you’ll be able to see why there are such a lot of legends and myths which have emerged from these locations.
Gásadalur
When coming to go to the Faroe Islands, I believe I used to be most excited to see Gásadalur, dwelling to the enduring Múlafossur waterfall. This unbelievable waterfall tumbles down into the ocean, surrounded by cute puffins (!!!) and steep sea cliffs.
Gásadalur (Goose Valley) was a really distant place for a very long time. Till 2004, earlier than the development of a tunnel, you needed to hike over a mountain from close by Bøur, together with the postman who needed to come over thrice per week. Both it was one of the best job or the worst job.
Gásadalur is a tiny village nestled between two massive mountains alongside the beautiful Faroese shoreline. Till about twenty years in the past, after they lastly constructed a tunnel, you needed to climb over the mountains to reach right here. Nobody envied the postman, particularly when he carried over a washer on his again!
Whereas the village has gotten quiet, the hills are busy as individuals flock to see the well-known Múlafossur waterfall, which tumbles sixty meters down into the ocean. With puffins flocking to the cliffs, it appears plucked from a fairytale. It’s actually earned its fame.
Tindhólmur
The final day within the Faroes we spent at Tindhólmur, one of many craziest islands I’ve ever seen! A seemingly good proper triangle, one facet of the uninhabited islet is a sheer vertical cliff face rising straight up tons of of meters from the ocean. Coated in neon inexperienced grass, sheep of each shade, and a shit-ton of seabirds, together with ALL of the puffins, it doesn’t look actual, as if somebody sliced in half a pyramid and eliminated one facet.
The legend of Tindhólmur is equally wild. It’s thought there as soon as was a person named Rasmus who was banished right here along with his spouse and child to farm alone. Then, sooner or later, an enormous eagle got here and stole the infant, flying all the way in which to the very prime of the very best peak, Ørnatindur (Peak of the Eagle). With the Faroese viking roots, it’s no shock this story doesn’t finish properly. The mom climbed to the highest of the island solely to search out that the eagle already pecked out the eyes of the infant (sorry, guys!) who was lifeless. They left Tindhólmur, and nobody has lived there since.
Whereas I didn’t see any eagles right here, the chook life and loopy views blew me away. Sunny and scorching, it was a tremendous spot to wrap up an journey within the Faroe Islands.
Do you need to go to the Faroe Islands? Is it in your bucketlist? Share!
Many due to Journey Canada for internet hosting me in Scotland – like at all times, I’m preserving it actual – all opinions are my very own like you may anticipate much less from me!