Svínoy

There are six northern islands (Norðoyar) in the Faroes. Klaksvík is on Borðoy, which is linked to the other relatively large island (Viðoy) via a causeway at Hvannasund. From there a ferry (Ritan) goes out to the two smallest islands, Fugloy (which I visited last year) and Svínoy, where I got off the ferry today (just left of centre in the photo). 

I was naturally drawn to reaching the promontory (Eggjarok) towering over the bay (see extra), so I crossed the fertile strip of lowland (in about 10 minutes) and headed for the only weakness in the crags that cross the island. From the rocky col at 380m, I climbed steadily across a rocky plateau until - as happens here - the climb finished at the summit of Havnartindur (586m), which is perched on the edge of a very steep sea cliff. Hence a a fabulous view of eastern Viðoy (see extra) suddenly opened up. Although I've experienced this quite a few times in the Faroese hills, it never grows old. Havnartindur is the highest point of Svínoy, and I descended gently along the edge of the cliffs, until I reached the promontory of Eggjarok (529m). Here I took the main photo. With plenty of time before the ferry back, I wandered back less directly, exploring other views from the edge of the plateau. 

In the village of Svínoy, I chatted with the very friendly sheep (see extra) and caught up with the world, before crossing the island again to await the arrival of Ritan. There was a lot of cargo to unload - including a car - before the ferry went on its way to Fugloy - more cargo - and then back to Hvannasund. It was late, so I missed the bus back to Klaksvík. Fortunately I avoided the near two-hour wait by cadging a lift from two young guys who had been on the ferry, and had a good chat with them on the journey back. This included the two new double-track tunnels through Borðoy. They are a great improvement on the (traffic-light controlled) single-track tunnels that I've used in the past. Hence the villages on Viðoy are now better connected to the rest of the Faroes, which helps to avoid depopulation.