heyrnarskertum

Heyrnar skertum is a traditional Faroese structure found primarily in the Faroe Islands, a North Atlantic island nation. It is a type of coastal defence, traditionally used to protect fishermen's boats and fingers of land from the harsh marine environment. The word "Heyrnar" refers to the upstream direction, while "Skertum" means estuary or narrow inlet.

Heyrnar skertum is typically a solid wall built around a small area of land, often located near the entrance to an estuary or a narrow inlet. The wall, which can be quite high, serves to protect the boats and the coastline from the forceful waves and strong tides of the ocean. Over time, the defences often become exposed to further erosion, resulting in them being built or extended.

Throughout history, the heyrnar skertum played a vital role in protecting Faroese communities from damage to their boats and fishing gear as well as to prevent problems, like flooding. Over time, with the introduction of fishing harbours and modern seawalls, the importance of the heyrnar skertum has largely faded, and it appears to be found primarily in historical documentation and cultural landscapes of the Faroe Islands.

As the Faroese landscape is composed largely of steep rockpiles and peat-covered slopes so is the heyrnar skertum an alternative origin as are buildings there is a variety of traditions criticisms.