History Tours

My husband and I had a great time in the Faroe Islands, and both really enjoyed the tour we booked with Jon about the sites and history of WW2 in the Faroes. Jon was very communicative before we arrived and knew where we would be staying and met us there. I am not sure he can always do that. It was also a great thing to do on a Sunday. I would recommend this to all travelers – not just English travelers, as so much of the world was involved in WW2. I would recommend to Germans too.

Jon arrived at the agreed time of 9am and has excellent English, as our Faroese is non-existent. Jon started by driving us to near Torshavn and the Skansin Fort, where we could look down on the WW1 renovated mortar guns. Jon explained how the British had heard that Hitler was planning to take over the Faroes Islands in April 1940. Within 3 days the Royal Marines arrived and occupied the island. Jon’s father had also told him about living on the Faroes during WW2 and how the people had reacted.

Jon told us and showed us watch towers and informed us well about how they were managed. He was able to tell us all about the practicalities- as the Faroes have little wood. The one plantation was used to hide mortars in bunkers. All facts were at his fingertips- about how the population of about 20,00 suddenly had about 5,000 troops and how they coped with houses being requisitioned. He explained details- about how loyalties changed from German to allies when it looked like winner was maybe changing. He did say that most Faroese were supportive of allies and how fairly allies had left the island at end of war, leaving many things of value to the Faroese.

Jon showed us detailed places- like where miliary intelligence had been house near existing telephone exchange etc. Jhon also showed us items not directly related to the war, but that showed damage due to war- such as an obelisk to commemorate King Christian X of Denmark visit to Faroes.

More sites of historical importance to WW2 are left in The Faroes Islands than in UK, so it is sad to see them not being kept as important sites of historic interest. Jon is trying to get this to happen, and I support his efforts.

Jon showed us how Germany had bombed the harbour and he told us about a near miss. He took us north of Hoyvik to trenches built for defence incase Germans landed. He then drove further NE to tunnel to Esteroy. He stopped before and after entering tunnel to show us important strategic defence points of the channel and the British defence machinery. There was an important naval base here.

Jon drove us through several undersea tunnels and explained about safety refuges in the undersea and mountain tunnels.

Jon took us to a great and reasonably priced Effo fuel station where we all ate a lovely lunch. He then drove further north on Esteroy and headed back west to Vagar. There Jon showed us the army base at Chester Camp on Vagar and later Jon showed us the RAF base remains, also on Vagar. We can’t recommend this trip highly enough to all visitors and also residents in the Faroes. Jon is a very knowledgeable and instructive teacher who is incredibly helpful and friendly.

We had a great tour with Jon. It was clear that he knew a lot about the Faroe Islands during World War II.
There are many interesting sites related to that time on the Faroe Islands, many of which we visited on this tour, and got some good stories.
So if you like history and want to see other things than waterfalls and puffins on the Faroe Islands, we recommend you to take this tour.