Borgarey

Background

History & Background

Borgarey was inhabited in the past but permanent settlement ended around the turn of the 20th century. Limited access to fresh water made year-round life difficult. The island's history is therefore closely tied to the practical constraints of small-island settlement in Ísafjarðardjúp.

Borgarey is a small island in Ísafjarðardjúp and the innermost of the three principal islands in the fjord, alongside Æðey and Vigur. Although less prominent in tourism than its neighbours, the island has a distinctive combination of wildlife and settlement history. Eider ducks nest on Borgarey, puffins are present in significant numbers and seals use the shoreline as a haul-out area. These features make the island ecologically interesting, but also mean that wildlife disturbance should be avoided. The island was formerly inhabited, with the last permanent settlement ending around the turn of the 20th century. Access to fresh water was limited, illustrating one of the practical difficulties of living year-round on a small island in Ísafjarðardjúp. Borgarey is not a conventional walk-up attraction and should not be presented as one. There are few established tourism services, and any visit by boat or kayak should depend on legitimate access, weather, sea conditions and respect for nesting birds and seals. For most travellers, the value of Borgarey lies in understanding the wider island landscape of Ísafjarðardjúp and the relationship between wildlife, resources and former settlement.