Why Kalsoy
Kalsoy is a slender island situated in the northeastern region of the Faroe Islands, positioned between Eysturoy and Kunoy. Its name translates to "man island," providing a counterpart to neighboring Kunoy, which means "woman island." The terrain is marked by sheer cliffs stretching along the entirety of the western coast, while thirteen mountain peaks shape the skyline, led by Nestindar at 787 meters and Botnstindur at 743 meters. Due to its long, thin profile and the series of dark passages running through it, the island is nicknamed "the recorder."
Fewer than 80 people reside on Kalsoy, distributed among four small villages sheltered in eastern valleys: Syðradalur, Húsar, Mikladalur, and Trøllanes. The northern and western coastal cliffs are recognized as an important bird area, hosting substantial breeding populations of seabirds. Among these are approximately 40,000 pairs of Atlantic puffins, 5,000 pairs of European storm petrels, and 200 pairs of black guillemots.
At the far northern point of the island lies the Kallur lighthouse. Kalsoy's dramatic landscape gained film notoriety when its northern scenery was featured in the 25th James Bond movie, No Time to Die (2021), where it served as a stand-in for the Kuril Islands with digitally introduced missile silos and a harbor.
The island is steeped in regional folklore, most famously the legend of the Selkie, or Seal-Woman, of Mikladalur. After a local farmer trapped a selkie maid into marriage by stealing her skin, she eventually escaped back to the sea. The farmer later killed her seal husband and sons, prompting her to place a deadly curse on the men of Mikladalur, condemning them to drown or fall from cliffs. This story remains a prominent cultural tale throughout the Faroe Islands.
Because Kalsoy has no bridges, causeways, or subsea tunnels connecting it to other landmasses, access is provided by ferry. The boat Sam operates regular trips from Klaksvík to the landing at Syðradalur. A partially paved road serviced by a bus connects the settlements from Húsar to Trøllanes. Travelers exploring the route or walking to the Kallur lighthouse must traverse four unlit tunnels, including a narrow, damp passage over two kilometers long near Trøllanes, making a torch necessary for pedestrians. The alternative mountain trail between Mikladalur and Trøllanes is steep and perilous, so staying on the established road is advised.
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