Skúvoy

Skúvoy is an gem in many ways. The lundaland (grass-grown area facing the sea which puffins inhabit) is almost located in the village, there are steep birdcliffs, beutiful valleys (one is actually called the beautiful valley: Fagridalur), historical places, colourful houses, boathouses and boats. The church is worth a visit, and the graveyard Ólansgarður, with the grave of Chieftain Sigmundur Brestisson. The local guides in Skúvoy will know all the best stories to tell you more about.

You can go to Skúvoy for a day-trip, as the ferry connection is very good, just keep in mind that the ferry operates by request only, so you need to call the ferry if you want to go. You can also stay for a few days or longer, because there are holiday houses for rent in Skúvoy as well as a B&B. There is even a grocery shop in Skúvoy that sells regular convenience goods, and if you want something out of the ordinary, you can call them a few days or a week in advance, and they will have it ready for you when you arrive. And if you don’t feel like cooking yourself, both Elisabeth & Tummas Frank as well as Inga offer heimablídni (dining with a local).

The population in Skúvoy is 30 people.

The school

The school in Skúvoy is now in use as a village hall, and there is a public toilet at the school.

The church

The church in Skúvoy was inaugurated in 1937. H.C.W. Tórgarð drew the church. One thing that sticks out about the church is that it is facing south and north, and not east and west as is common.

The first church in the Faroe Islands was built in Ólansgarður í Skúvoy around year 1000.

History: Sigmundur

The Faroese saga says that Beinir and Brestir took up residence in Skúvoy. Their sons, Tóri and Sigmundur, grew up in Skúvoy. Sigmundur christened the Faroe Islands in the year 999 and had a church built in Skúvoy.

Birds

Skúvoy is a Ramsar-site, and is known for its richness in birds. When they counted birds in 1954 the bird population of common murre was much larger than it is today, it was estimated a 2 million pairs in 1954.

RAT FREE ISLAND

One of the reasons that there is an abundance of birdlife, is because Skúvoy is a rat free island. The environment agency, together with inhabitants, have put campaigns in action, to prevent the rat from entering the island.  The biggest threat is that the rat can be brought to the island through luggage and goods transport. If the rat enters a rat free island, it can have irreversible consequences. If rats enter Skúvoy, it will cause a decrease in the bird population. Which is the case on all the islands where the rat has entered. We request everyone who travels to Skúvoy to have perticular caution, and to thoroughly examine your luggage and goods, before entering the helicopter or ferry.

History: Skúvoy almost in ruins

Skúvoy has almost been in ruins twice. The first time was due to the Black Death in the 14th century and the second time when smallpox rages in the 18th century.

Skúvoyggin hevur tvær ferðir verið um at verði avtoftað. Fyrru ferð var, tá svartideyði gekk í 14. øld, og seinnu ferð, tá pokurnar gingu í 18. øld.