Six Things You Might Not Know About the Faroe Islands

Comprised of eighteen main islands, the Faroe Isands boast dramatic scenery with steep rocky cliffs topped with green grass as far as you can see. Volcanic in origin, nowadays, the landscape of the Faroes is defined as thick-tiered basalt formations. No trees. It’s far too windy and wild for trees to cling to life here. Only a few hardy survivors planted by settlers can be spotted in sheltered places like downtown Tórshavn, the capital.

In fact, 70% of the land around the Faroes sits over two hundred metres above sea level. These abundant, steep sea cliffs are perfect for bird colonies and great views. Birdwatching here is just incredible, and we often see many fulmars, gannets, kittiwakes, storm petrels, and, of course, a ton of puffins.

The Faroese language comes from extinct Old Norse and is related to other Scandinavian languages. It is spoken by all here, though many Faroese people speak great English and Danish. Unique and obscure, it’s pretty incredible that one Faroese word has managed to prevail globally— skua. Skuas are large predatory seabirds, and you can often find the great skua circling in the winds around the Faroes, harassing other birds for their fish. However, it’s not the national bird—that honour belongs to the oystercatcher.

The Faroe Islands have been part of the Kingdom of Denmark since 1380 and self-governing since 1948. Denmark does subsidize a part of the gross domestic product of the Faroes these days, and they also look after certain sectors like justice, defense, and foreign affairs. Danish is taught in schools and is widely spoken here. There is some talk of independence, but it’s pretty much evenly split down the middle when it comes to separating from the motherland.

Norse history and the Faroes are very much intertwined, with Vikings settling here in the ninth century. The Faroese language derives from the Old Norse, but new archaeological evidence has emerged in recent years that tells a different story. Burnt barley and grains, along with sheep DNA, have been discovered dating hundreds of years earlier, both only possible because of humans. There are also Celtic grave markers and place names around the Faroes, suggesting the earlier settlers came from Britain. Combined evidence from manuscripts of the travelling Irish monks around the sixth century suggests that the Vikings weren’t the first to arrive and settle the Faroes.

Like other places in Scandinavia and the Arctic, many of the homes around the Faroe Islands are brightly coloured, perhaps to stand in contrast to often moody weather. Others are more traditional black, harkening back to a time when houses were covered in tar to keep the heat in. Many houses and buildings today have turf roofs, a tradition dating back over a millennium used again for insulation and protection against the rain.

97% of the exports from the Faroe Islands are from fishing. It’s the most important industry here and dominates every aspect of life. In fact, most of the nation depends on fish farming, particularly salmon, and you’ll see evidence of these farms dotted around various bays in the Faroes.

Many of the meals are fish-based, and you’ll often see lines of fish hanging out to air-dry and age all over the Faroes. However, the national dish is fermented lamb. Ræst is the fermentation process used in the Faroes for fish and lamb, where they are dry-aged outdoors in a particular way.