Day 5 – Fugloy and Borðoy
The team began their day with an early ferry to Fugloy, one of the Faroe Islands’ most remote inhabited outposts. Home to just twelve residents and many more sheep, Fugloy offered a rare chance to study a near-isolated environment.
Upon arrival, the team tackled a steep climb to reach a small, remote lake nestled in the hills. The terrain was demanding, but conditions were favourable for collecting both water and sediment samples. These will be used to support ongoing research into the movement of airborne micro and nano plastics.
The local welcome was equally memorable. Residents shared a homemade lunch with the team – a rare and meaningful moment of connection in such a distant corner of the archipelago.
In the afternoon, the team continued to Borðoy. A second steep ascent led to a high-altitude lake. Here again, the team gathered valuable water and sediment samples, pushing forward with their scientific objectives in one of the Faroes’ most isolated landscapes.
Day 6 – Sampling Above Saksun
Next, the expedition shifted focus to the high ground above Saksun – a village tucked near the northwest coast of Streymoy. Saksun is home to a single family of sheep farmers and their flock of over 700 sheep.
This was one of the most physically demanding days of the expedition so far. The team climbed steep gradients in shifting weather and heavy fog, navigating rugged terrain with limited visibility.
At the summit, a remote lake provided the final sampling site of the day. The combination of sediment and water samples collected here contributes to building a detailed picture of microplastic distribution across contrasting environments.
Saksun’s beauty was matched only by the effort required to access it – a clear reminder of the dedication needed to conduct fieldwork in extreme and isolated settings.
Follow The Journey
As the team come to the end of the expedition, they remain ahead of schedule and will now be visiting additional sites across the Faroes to collect further samples – maximising the scientific value of their time in the field. A final summary blog will be published next week.
For more behind-the-scenes insight and highlights from the field, follow Mission Spiritus on Instagram and LinkedIn, where we continue to share updates, photos and reflections from the team.
