Faroe Islands Expedition | August 2022

Having always been intrigued by the Faroe Islands, when my friend Andreas mentioned he was sailing on his 37 foot Jeanneau to Iceland via the Faroe Islands, I knew this was a unique opportunity to be part of another expedition. They are located northwest of Scotland and about half way between Norway and Iceland and are notable for having the highest sea cliffs in Europe and some of the most dramatic landscapes in the world reaching 882 metres above sea level.

Andreas and I thought we would also offer the opportunity to three thrill seeking adventurers to join this one week long, photographic and exploration expedition, circumnavigating these spectacular islands while photographing the diverse array of scenery and wildlife.

After planning the logistics and itinerary for the week, unsure of the response we would get, we put the expedition proposal on our social media platforms. The response was overwhelming and before we new it the three spots were snapped up. So in early August the team of five coming from all corners of the world set off to meet in the Faroe Islands to help prep the boat for the adventure to come.
There is nothing like the feeling of making eye contact with these gentle giants. Their raw beauty and purity of spirit left me with an indelible mark and a renewed enthusiasm for the conservation of the underwater world.

Our daily itinerary depended on weather patterns and tides and as the saying goes in the Faroe Islands, ‘if you don’t like the weather hang around.’
There is always a sense of vulnerability when sailing in such isolated parts of the world. The sheer remoteness coupled with the exposure to the elements can present many challenges. This is where our experience as seasoned sailors and the hours of planning and preparation paid off. With ever changing sea conditions and strong currents to tend with, we had to be ready to react and adapt to the oncoming weather. By the evening we would find a sheltered fjord or bay to anchor in. Dinner was time for relaxation and discussing the adventures of the day and tweaking the route for the next day according to the weather.

All five of us were in our comfort zone, sailing in these demanding conditions. This allowed us to focus on the spectacular scenery and seabird colonies while discussing photographic tips and techniques when shooting in these exposed conditions.

On a personal note, the joy of being immersed in such a wild environment is hard to beat. Looking up at the 800 foot tall cliffs, emerging vertically from the sea creates such a mixture of emotions. Elating, intimidating, heart pounding and awe-inspiring come to mind. I am in my element in these conditions and I realise that it is this overwhelming feeling of connection with Mother Nature in her purest form, that I am chasing when organising these expeditions.