Correction: A previous headline of this article incorrectly reported that the underwater tunnels “tunnel links UK to Iceland”. In fact, the tunnels connect the capital of the Faroe Islands, Tórshavn, and Runavík. We are happy to clarify that these tunnels do not connect the UK and Iceland and the article has been amended accordingly.
Amazing images have unveiled the remarkable undersea tunnels connecting islands halfway between Scotland and Iceland. The Faroe Islands, part of the Kingdom of Denmark, have built an impressive network of 17 tunnels on land and four subsea, including the world’s only underwater roundabout, to combat the region’s notoriously unpredictable weather.
The tunnels are a lifeline for residents and visitors alike, making it much easier to navigate the archipelago’s 18 islands, which are scattered across the North Atlantic. Situated roughly halfway between Iceland and Scotland, the islands have long relied on these tunnels to cope with their isolation and harsh climate.
Súsanna Sørensen, marketing manager at Visit Faroe Islands, shared with a smile: “Though we are 18 islands, we often joke that we defy the fact that we are islands (thanks to the tunnels).” This extensive network has transformed travel across the archipelago benefiting locals, commuters, tourists, and freight alike, Metro reports.
One thing that has everyone talking about is the underwater roundabout. The project opened in 2020 and significantly reduces travel time between the capital, on Streymoy, and the neighbouring island Eysturoy, from about 60 minutes to about 15 minutes. More than 6,000 vehicles now pass through the Streymoy-Eysturoy Tunnel daily, which links the two largest islands, Streymoy and Eysturoy.
The Eysturoy Tunnel, which opened in December 2020, reaches the depths of 614 feet below sea level. According to Teitur Samuelsen, CEO of the company behind the tunnels, Eystur-og Sandoyartunlar, safety is paramount: “The tunnels are designed by world-leading engineers and geologists, so safety with regards to the Atlantic above is not an issue.”
Faroese artist Tróndur Patursson has contributed a piece of artwork surrounding the roundabout, adding a cultural touch to the roundabout. For those taking the scenic route, a soundtrack composed by musician Jens L. Thomsen accompanies the journey. The soundtrack was created by recording the sounds of the tunnel’s construction and the eerie silence.
The latest addition to the Faroe Islands’ tunnel network, the Sandoy Tunnel, opened in December 2023, linking Streymoy and Sandoy. At nearly six and a half miles long and 508 feet below sea level, it carries around 1,000 vehicles each day.
The tunnels have allowed the Faroe Islanders to truly defy their island status, making travel across the region easier than ever before.
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