Stóra Dímun Travel Guide

By Verified Expert

Stóra Dímun is a small island in the remote Faroe Islands home to only one family. The highest peak on the island is Høgoyggj (396 m / 1299 ft).

The only way to enter Stóra Dímun is by helicopter service. The helicopter operates twice a week throughout the year.

Stóra Dímun means Large Dímun and the neighbouring island Lítla Dímun translates to Small Dímun. Dímun is an old Norse word for two things similar.

The island is located in the southern part of the archipelago. You always feel the weather up front when you stand on Stóra Dímun. The best advice that you will get from the only family living in the farmhouse on the island is that the weather decides what you can do on the island.

Úr Dímun og Stóra Dímun

úr Dímun couple on Stóra Dímun
The “úr Dímun” couple. They live on the island all year round.

Today, the only family on the island bear the second name “úr Dímun” which translates to from Dímun. The family maintains a traditional sheep farm, tending to approximately 450 sheep that graze freely on the steep grassy slopes. The island’s total area is 2.65 square kilometres (1.02 square mile), making it the smallest inhabited island in the archipelago.

A notable feature of Stóra Dímun is its dramatic landscape, with steep cliffs shooting from the sea around the entire island. These cliffs are filled with seabirds in summer, including puffins, guillemots, and fulmars.

The resident family operates a small guesthouse, though visits must be carefully planned due to the limited helicopter schedule. There are no shop or public facilities on the island, requiring visitors to be largely self-sufficient. The island has no natural water supply adding to the challenging conditions on the island.

Despite modern conveniences like good internet connectivity, life on the island remains deeply connected to traditional farming. Weather conditions in the Faroe Islands are unpredictable and life on this small North Atlantic outpost needs to adapt to ever-changing weather.

Sveinur Tróndarson

Sveinur Tróndarson is a prominent figure in the Faroe Islands, known for his multifaceted contributions to local society, particularly in journalism, media, and culture. Born and raised in the settlement Skála on Eysturoy Island in the Faroe Islands, Tróndarson has been actively involved in shaping the public dialogue around everything from sports, politics to preserving local traditions. Sveinur holds a master’s degree in political science from the Univerity of the Faroe Islands. As a journalist, he has worked with key media outlets in the Faroe Islands, including the public broadcasting cooperation Kringvarp Føroya and as both chief editor and CEO at the newspaper Dimmalætting. His insights are valued and he is often used as an expert in news media. His commentary reflects a deep understanding of history, language, and the Faroe Island' place in the world. In addition to his journalistic endeavors, Tróndarson has taken the official tourism course in the Faroe Islands. Today, he also works as a tour guide.

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