From the village of Bøur on the Faroese island of Vágar, you have a stunning view of one of the most remarkable islets in the Faroe Islands: Tindhólmur. This rugged, uninhabited island immediately stands out thanks to its five sharp peaks. If you want a slightly different perspective on Tindhólmur, you can drive a bit further from Bøur towards the tunnel to Gásadalur. From the hill on the left side just before the tunnel, you get a side view of Tindhólmur and Drangarnir, the striking rock formation rising from the sea just to the left of the island. To truly experience Tindhólmur up close, a boat tour past Drangarnir and the coast of Tindhólmur is highly recommended. From the water, the island’s rugged shapes and steep cliffs are perhaps even more impressive.
the five peaks of tindhólmur
Tindhólmur is an island full of drama. Not just because of its appearance, but also because of the stories that surround it. The island owes its name to its five distinct peaks: Ytsti, Arni, Lítli, Breiði and Bogni, which mean ‘farthest’, ‘eagle’, ‘small’, ‘broad’ and ‘curved’, respectively. Covering an area of 65 hectares and with its highest point reaching 262 meters, the island rises steeply from the ocean. In the past, it was an important nesting site for the mighty white-tailed eagle, a bird that often plays a dark and mysterious role in Faroese folklore.
The tragic legend of Rasmus
One of the most chilling legends of the Faroe Islands (besides Kópakonan) revolves around Tindhólmur. Once, a farmer named Rasmus lived here. He came from Sørvágur, but after countless disputes with the villagers, he was offered a plot of land on Tindhólmur as a way to get him to leave. It seemed like a golden opportunity: the island offered excellent grazing land, with plenty of sheep, birds and fish. Rasmus and his family led a prosperous life there. But their happiness didn’t last long.
One day, disaster struck. A giant eagle suddenly swooped down on Rasmus’s two-year-old child and flew with him to the highest peak of the island. The child’s mother ran desperately after the bird, climbing the steep slopes. But when she reached the top, it was too late. The eagle’s young had already eaten the child’s eyes. From that day on, this peak was named Ørnatindur, meaning ‘the eagle’s peak’.
Crushed by grief, Rasmus and his family left the island and Tindhólmur has remained uninhabited ever since. But the traces of their presence are still there. Those who look carefully can find the remains of their house and boathouse on the island, silent witnesses to a lost life.
An island full of mystique
Tindhólmur is an island that truly captivates the imagination, no matter which angle you view it from! Whether you’re enjoying the view from Bøur, admiring the iconic peaks from the hill near the Gásadalur tunnel or seeing the island from the water on a boat trip along Drangarnir, the atmosphere is undeniably mystical. With its jagged peaks, its rugged history and the tragic legend of Rasmus, this island remains one of the most fascinating places in the Faroe Islands!
