Sailing in the Faeroes (or in Faeroese - Føroyar)

Cruise to the Faeroes (or in Faeroese - Føroyar )Islands - 2003



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I was called to go on watch at 03.00 and the crew had managed to arrange a perfect landfall, A large lighthouse on the headland guarding our destination was flashing while there was a sign of lightening of the sky to east which would turn into dawn to make our progress into harbour easier. Rookie crew Andrew joined me on watch as I piloted Judicious through the narrow gap between Soyea Island and the mainland and by 05.00 we were moored to the pontoon at Loch Inver. So ended one of the best sailing holidays I have had. Satellite pix
How it began
Last year Judicious ended up in NW Scotland. I intended to start the 2003 season with a bit of cruising around the Hebrides then heading back to W Ireland. It was in February when I was nursing a pint with sailing buddy Graham when he said "As you're in the Hebrides have you thought of going to Iceland".Silly b****r thought I.

However the thought was there. The Faeroe islands were not too far from NW Scotland - about 2 days sailing. Few yachts go there. A bit of research and the plan was germinating.

After a couple of false starts crew was signed-on, charts, pilot books and tidal stream atlas studied, insurance arranged (I was required to have 2 experienced crew). There was a hiccup over crew as for one reason or another most of my regulars were unavailable (mutterings about how S Brittany seemed a better bet than sailing to within 250 miles of the Artic circle) but an ad in the personal column of Yachting Monthly resulted in Andrew signing on, and jolly good chap he was, great fun, a real find.

We were ready for the off.

We had a fantastic time; thanks Graham for giving me the idea. 		Faroes chart

These islands are about 250 miles north of NW Scotland, an archipelago of some 15 islands, 60 miles N to S, 30m E to W, with a population of about 45,000. A compact cruising area.
Faeroes scenery
Images from Faroes Tourist Office
and more details at the Faroes Travel Guide
Excellent pictures of the Faroes here (in Spanish)Faeroes flag

Updated 12th July 2003

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