Why I’m not ashamed to visit Faroe
When I first announced on social media that I was visiting Faroe, I was met with the usual ill-informed judgement that so often blights this proud nation, which today is an independent territory belonging to Denmark. This is something I’d like to clear up at the outset before I dive into a blog about our time in the islands. I have based this response around a particularly vitriolic email I received and, to prevent any further ill-informed comments, I’ve embedded that response into my website, and invite you to read that here before forming judgement based on environmental propaganda.
Below is the email I received, and the response I sent. Please read this with an open mind, and don’t fall into the trap of condemning these people without understanding their position.
“Dear Laurie, I love your information letter and find it really informative and helpful. However I was really saddened to see you are taking a group to Faroe next year. I am sure you are aware that Faroe is barbarically killing whales and dolphins every year, the seawater turning red with their blood. The islanders no longer need them for a food source and yet the slaughter continues.”
Yes, I am aware of the grind, and agree, that some of the methods used are barbaric. However, I do know that they have developed more humane methods of slaughter and are beginning to phase out the traditional methods which are cruel. I disagree that they no longer need this food source, for several reasons. Whale meat has a very low carbon footprint, and saves importing beef from Europe or America. For meat, animals are still slaughtered and the island can't grow enough to sustain the population so, without whale meat, more food would need to be imported. The islanders eat the meat, and this is a very low carbon option for them. I also know that pilot whale numbers continue to increase, despite the grind.
“By supporting tourism to Faroe you are saying that you agree with their actions or are you turning a blind eye in favour of profit?”
This is a ludicrous statement. That would be like me saying that by visiting the UK, people support Brexit or support the anti immigration policies of the UK. Visiting an area does not mean that I support all their policies and beliefs. I don't think I need to expand on this more, and I'm shocked that this is a view that you truly believe to be true, and I find it very offensive that you feel that my motives are purely driven by profit. I find the Faroe Islands fascinating, the landscape, the people and the wildlife really speak to me, and if you feel that profit is my driver then I don't think you really know me. I am always driven by passion and a love of our islands, those are my drivers, not profit. If I was driven by profit, I would stop my blog and simply do bus tours every day for cruise liners as that's where the profit lies.
“With so many beautiful, amazing islands all around our Scottish coast that your business is already touring, a Faroe trip surely is not a necessity?”
Faroe is a beautiful island which Shetland and Orkney are more aligned with given our shared history of governance. I am leading a trip to Orkney, Shetland and Faroe which were, at one time, part of the wider Danish kingdom. I am very much looking forward to sharing the cultural similarities in terms of way of life, history and language between our islands with the group.
“As a Shetlander and educated person I’m sure you are very aware of the importance of saving our marine life for our planet’s existence.”
This comment does not sit well with me, "as a Shetlander and educated person", feels like a form of cultural imperialism - imposing metropolitan values on the Faroese way of life. We may not agree with the practice of the grind, and I know that it certainly makes me feel uneasy, but I can see that it is sustainable, it produces a low carbon food source and is very much an intrinsic part of their culture and, with whale number increasing, it does not appear to be having a detrimental impact on marine life. I agree that some of the methods are barbaric, and it's not something that I openly support, but neither do I feel like it's my place to judge. I also feel quite offended that you are assuming I should share your view and that if I didn't, it would make me appear in some way "uneducated". I try to look on the grind with reason and I try to remove my personal feelings and look at the wider picture, taking into account food security, our carbon footprint and sustainability. When I look at it from those points of view, I find it hard to say that the grind should be stopped - despite the fact that watching it, turns my stomach.
“I appreciate that everyone is entitled to an opinion and for that reason I have not shared my thoughts about your business Faroe destination on Facebook. I would not want to damage your excellent reputation in tourism but felt compelled by disappointment and upset to write to you.”
I really appreciate you getting in touch and giving me the opportunity to expand on my thoughts, although I fear these are not what you'd like to hear. I have had a few similar messages so I'll likely post something on my social pages as I do feel the Faroese are unfairly criticised in many cases. This may damage my reputation, and I'm okay with that as I always try to be open and transparent with those who follow me.
In short, I am not saying that I wholeheartedly support the grind, but I'm certainly not saying that I fully condemn it. I simply think we need to look at the bigger picture and try to look at it logically, removing some of our own assumptions and personal feelings.
I hope that answers your questions and, as ever, thank you for getting in touch and I understand if you feel that you need to unfollow or unsubscribe, but I do hope that you understand and respect my views.
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