Skrova

I'm almost always pleased to add a new island to my collection, and today it was Skrova.

This little island is few miles from Svolvær in the Vestfjord, and it is indeed a very scenic island. This view is from the northeast corner of the island looking towards the island of Lille Molla, which despite it's diminutive name does rather loom over Skrova.

So why am I less then overwhelmingly enthusiastic about Skrova, and why was I reluctant to visit?

The short answer is whaling. This island is apparently one of the few remaining active whaling stations in Norway. There is evidence of the whaling history around the houses on the island too, at least one whalebone arch and several old (I hope) harpoon guns visible. The island does also carry other fishing, and I was relieved to see that there was nothing bigger than cod on the processing line in the one remaining factory.

1379/3421