I'd just arrived at the airport on the Faroe Islands to find that the only city, Torshavn, is over an hour away by a combination of bus and ferry.

An airline assistant suggested taking a helicopter from the airport. Do I look like the sort of person who does that?

But when I checked, it only cost £18. Timetables showed the islands are linked by an network of helicopter services, more like buses back home. Trips start at £7 and visit even the tiniest islands several times daily.

This heavily-subsidised helicopter flight to Torshavn is a bargain and a way to experience some the most spectacular scenery I’ve ever seen.

Mountainous green cliffs rise almost straight up from the sea and I could spot sheep unbelievably balanced on this vertical pasture.

The Faaroes have only 40,000 people but 70,000 sheep. Birds are the real inhabitants though – the feathered population is estimated to be around three million.


LINK: Atlantic Airways operate direct flights to the Faroes and the excellent inter-island helicopter service. 

https://www.atlantic.fo/default.aspx


Read more of Simon Heptinstall's travels in the Faroe Islands:

Gulp! My first impressions of the Faroes

A very strange city break in Torshavn

Whale watching in the Faroes