Kalsoy
Encyclopedia
Kalsoy is an island located in the north-east of the Faroe Islands
between Eysturoy
and Kunoy
.
, Mikladalur
, Syðradalur
and Trøllanes
, whose combined populations total less than 150. They are connected by a partly surfaced road which passes through four dark tunnels. The island's thin shape and road-tunnels give it the nickname 'the flute'.
There is a lighthouse
at Kallur, the northern-tip of Kalsoy.
to both settlements. One can walk north all the way to the lighthouse at Kallur, but the four unlit tunnels on the way make it advisable to carry a torch. However, there is not enough traffic to pose problems with exhaust gases. The northernmost tunnel through to Trøllanes is narrow, cold, damp and over 2 km long; it is rarely used by vehicles since the population of Trøllanes is only 20. The alternative overland route from Mikladalur to Trøllanes is a dangerous and precipitous path which is best avoided.
There is also a bus service between Húsar and Trøllanes.
A very nice trip around the Kalsoy can be made by the boat MB Viljin (see external link below)
or Seal-Woman of Mikladalur.
In old Faroese folklore it was believed that on Twelfth Night the seal
s came out of the sea, stripped off their seal-skins and became human beings, dancing on the shore. But before sunrise they had to put on their skins again to be able to return to the sea.
One night, however, a farmer of Mikladalur stole the skin of a beautiful young seal-woman, so she was not able to return to her husband and children in the sea. She lived with her new husband for years and had children with him. He had locked her seal-skin in his big chest containing all his valued possessions so that she could not leave him, and he always kept the key on a chain around his neck.
But one day when out at sea fishing, he discovered that he had forgotten his chain and key. When he returned, his seal-woman had left the house, having put out the fire and hidden all knives to protect her earthly children.
Later, the night before the traditional seal-killing, the seal-woman stood before her former husband in a dream asking him not to kill the Defender of the Seal-Cliff, who was her seal-husband, and the small, young seals who were her children. The farmer did not take her advice and her revenge was terrible. While enjoying the feast of the hunt in the same evening, a monster entered the farmer's house, telling him that so many men should fall down from the bird cliffs that they could join hands together around the whole island of Kalsoy.
This revenge has always been taken seriously, not only in Kalsoy but in the Faroe Islands generally. The descendants of the "Seal-woman" are still known in the country by certain characteristics, especially their short fingers.
Faroe Islands
The Faroe Islands are an island group situated between the Norwegian Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, approximately halfway between Scotland and Iceland. The Faroe Islands are a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, along with Denmark proper and Greenland...
between Eysturoy
Eysturoy
Eysturoy means East island and is the second-largest of the Faroe Islands in the North Atlantic, both in size and population. It is separated by a narrow sound from the main island of Streymoy. Eysturoy is extremely rugged, with some 66 separate mountain peaks, including Slættaratindur, the...
and Kunoy
Kunoy
Kunoy is an island located in the north-east of the Faroe Islands between Kalsoy and Borðoy .- Settlements and transport :...
.
Geography
The western coast has dramatically steep cliffs for the full length of the island, whereas idyllic valleys on the eastern slopes protect the four tiny settlements, HúsarHúsar
Húsar is a village on the East side of Kalsoy, Faroe Islands. It is the oldest of the villages on Kalsoy. The church, which is made of stone, was built in 1920. Húsar is connected to Klaksvík by a ferry that visits the village three times a day...
, Mikladalur
Mikladalur
Mikladalur is a village on the Faroese island of Kalsoy in the municipality of Klaksvíkar. The 2005 population was 44. Its postal code is FO 797. The town's stone church dates from 1856. A tunnel to Trøllanes was completed in 1985.-External links:*...
, Syðradalur
Syðradalur
Syðradalur is a village on the island of Kalsoy, one of the Faeroe Islands. Syðradalur is the southernmost village on the island, and is in Húsa kommuna. On 1 January 2009, Syðradalur had nine inhabitants, down from 12 in 1985...
and Trøllanes
Trøllanes
Trøllanes is a village on the northern part of the Faroese island of Kalsoy in the municipality of Klaksvíkar. The 2005 population was 23. Its postal code is FO 798. A tunnel to Mikladalur was completed in 1985.-See also:...
, whose combined populations total less than 150. They are connected by a partly surfaced road which passes through four dark tunnels. The island's thin shape and road-tunnels give it the nickname 'the flute'.
There is a lighthouse
Lighthouse
A lighthouse is a tower, building, or other type of structure designed to emit light from a system of lamps and lenses or, in older times, from a fire, and used as an aid to navigation for maritime pilots at sea or on inland waterways....
at Kallur, the northern-tip of Kalsoy.
Mountains
The island has 13 peaks, the two highest mountains are:| Name | Height |
|---|---|
| Nestindar | 787 m |
| Botnstindur | 743 m |
Travel
There are ferry landings at Syðradalur, and one of the mail boats (named Sam) makes regular trips from KlaksvíkKlaksvík
Klaksvík is the second largest town of the Faroe Islands.The town is located on Borðoy, which is one of the northernmost islands ....
to both settlements. One can walk north all the way to the lighthouse at Kallur, but the four unlit tunnels on the way make it advisable to carry a torch. However, there is not enough traffic to pose problems with exhaust gases. The northernmost tunnel through to Trøllanes is narrow, cold, damp and over 2 km long; it is rarely used by vehicles since the population of Trøllanes is only 20. The alternative overland route from Mikladalur to Trøllanes is a dangerous and precipitous path which is best avoided.
There is also a bus service between Húsar and Trøllanes.
A very nice trip around the Kalsoy can be made by the boat MB Viljin (see external link below)
Legends
Kalsoy has many legends, the best known being the Legend of the SelkieSelkie
Selkies are mythological creatures that are found in Faroese, Icelandic, Irish, and Scottish folklore....
or Seal-Woman of Mikladalur.
In old Faroese folklore it was believed that on Twelfth Night the seal
Pinniped
Pinnipeds or fin-footed mammals are a widely distributed and diverse group of semiaquatic marine mammals comprising the families Odobenidae , Otariidae , and Phocidae .-Overview: Pinnipeds are typically sleek-bodied and barrel-shaped...
s came out of the sea, stripped off their seal-skins and became human beings, dancing on the shore. But before sunrise they had to put on their skins again to be able to return to the sea.
One night, however, a farmer of Mikladalur stole the skin of a beautiful young seal-woman, so she was not able to return to her husband and children in the sea. She lived with her new husband for years and had children with him. He had locked her seal-skin in his big chest containing all his valued possessions so that she could not leave him, and he always kept the key on a chain around his neck.
But one day when out at sea fishing, he discovered that he had forgotten his chain and key. When he returned, his seal-woman had left the house, having put out the fire and hidden all knives to protect her earthly children.
Later, the night before the traditional seal-killing, the seal-woman stood before her former husband in a dream asking him not to kill the Defender of the Seal-Cliff, who was her seal-husband, and the small, young seals who were her children. The farmer did not take her advice and her revenge was terrible. While enjoying the feast of the hunt in the same evening, a monster entered the farmer's house, telling him that so many men should fall down from the bird cliffs that they could join hands together around the whole island of Kalsoy.
This revenge has always been taken seriously, not only in Kalsoy but in the Faroe Islands generally. The descendants of the "Seal-woman" are still known in the country by certain characteristics, especially their short fingers.
External links
- Viljin Tours Boat trips around Kalsoy and the surrounding area
- Personal website with 6 aerial photos of Kalsoy