Jump to content

Skúvoy

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Plastikspork (talk | contribs) at 17:32, 8 June 2010 (Infobox). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Skúvoy
Skúvoy, as seen from Sandoy
Skúvoy, as seen from Sandoy
Location within the Faroe Islands
Location within the Faroe Islands
CountryFaroe Islands
Area
 • Total10 km2 (4 sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+0 (GMT)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+1 (EST)
Calling code298

Skúvoy is an island in central Faroe Islands, located to the south of Sandoy. It is named after the large number of skua present on the island (who have a habit of attacking intruders). There is only one settlement on the island: Skúvoy on the east coast. There are two mountains: Knúkur (392 m) and Heyggjurin Mikli (391 m).

There are 300-400 m cliffs along the west coast, which are home to many guillemot. Egg collections take place in early June, though this occurs in the first week only so as to allow the guillemots to make another. The Black Death in the 14th century killed all the inhabitants except one woman - . Her cottage can still be seen. Skúvoy was also the home of Sigmundur Brestisson, the hero of the Færeyinga Saga (Saga of the Faroese).