Sandoy (Island)

The three islands of Sandoy at 112.10 km², Skúvoy at 11.18 km² and Stóra Dímun at 2.65 km² include the markatal settlements of Sandur, Skálavík, Húsavík, Skarvanes, Dalur, Skúvoy and Stóra Dímun. Added to this, there is Skopun, an outlying village founded in 1833 on Sandur’s markatal land. These villages constitute Sandoyar Sýsla and the superior parish of Sandoyar Prestagjald.

The three islands constitute five independent municipalities: Skopunar Kommuna, Skálavíkar Kommuna, Sands Kommuna, Húsavíkar Kommuna, which includes Skarvanes and Dalur, and Skúvoyar Kommuna, which includes Stóra Dímun. The islet of Trøllhøvdi, which belongs to the village of Kirkjubøur, is separated from Sandoy by Høvdasund. From the south side of the sound, a special geological phenomenon can be observed, an 80 m long filling of a lava tunnel, which is aptly called Hvalsryggur (the Whale’s Back).

Sandoy is considered the lowest and greenest of the large islands. Its highest mountain is Tindur at 479 m. The Faroe Islands’ third largest lake, Sandsvatn, can also be found on this island. For centuries, Sandoy has been one of the best agricultural areas with large farms. There is no natural harbour on the island, but both Sandur and Skopun have ports for boats and small ships. This has contributed to the establishment of a fishing industry with filleting factories in the two villages.

In the aftermath of the economic crisis around the year 2000, Sandoy attempted to pursue a development strategy, which involved developing the agricultural industry to ensure the production of local food, especially vegetables. So far, there has been a ferry connection between Gamlarætt on Streymoy and Skopun on Sandoy, but an undersea tunnel is under construction. The work of drilling a tunnel between Gamlarætt on Streymoy and Inni á Tungu at Sandur is expected to be completed in 2022.

Further reading

Read more about The islands, towns and settlements