The Evil Whale of West Iceland’s Hvalfjörður – Folklore Friday

01/12/24 • 10 min

This episode is part of my Folklore Friday series, where I am sharing fascinating stories from Icelandic folklore on Fridays throughout 2024.

The Wrath of an Elf Woman Scorned

Even though this story is based in West Iceland, it starts out on the Reykjanes Peninsula in a small village. A group of men ventured to Geirfuglasker, known as Great Auk rocky island, on a g mission to capture great auks (a type of bird). But when it was time to sail back, they realized one of their own was missing. Reluctantly, they returned home, heavy-hearted and believing him lost to the sea.

A year later, the same crew found themselves back at the the same rocky island, and to their surprise, they found the missing man alive and well. He revealed an incredible tale: elves had enchanted him and held him captive for a year. The interesting part is that they treated him kindly yet keeping him away from his world. Even though they were nice to him, he longed for his home and elated to return to the world he knew with the group.

But his story took an unexpected turn. An elf woman, with whom he had shared a brief but intense connection, was expecting his child. She made him vow to baptize the child if she brought it to his church.

How the Evil Icelandic Whale Came to Be

Time passed, and during a mass at Hvalsnes church, a mysterious cradle appeared outside, bearing a note demanding the child’s baptism. This raised suspicion among the people in the village that the man who had vanished for a year was the father of the child.

The pastor confronted him, but he vehemently denied any connection. At that moment, a tall, imposing woman emerged, cursing the man for his denial. She proclaimed that he would become a monstrous whale, a terror of the seas, then vanished with the cradle, leaving the villagers in shock and awe.

Driven to madness by the curse, the man raced to the sea and leapt from a cliff, instantly transforming into a whale that later was called Redhead because the man was wearing a red cap on his head when he plunged into the sea. Redhead became notorious and feared because he sank nineteen ships in his wrath.

A Blind, Magical Icelander Pastor Vs a Massive Serial Killer Whale

One of the people deeply impacted by Redhead’s wrath was a blind pastor who lived at Saurbær. Tragedy struck when Redhead drowned the pastor’s sons during a fishing trip. Grieving yet determined, the pastor, guided by his daughter, made a pilgrimage to the fjord. One thing that made the pastor different than others who encountered this whale is that he was skilled in magic.

There, he and his daughter spotted the whale in the water. The pastor used a stick that his stuck in the ground along the shore to lead the whale through the fjord and up the Botnsá River. Not surprisingly, the huge whale struggling in the narrow, shallow waters. As they reached the roaring Glymur waterfall, the ground trembled like there were massive earthquakes because of the whale’s immense flailing about trying to fight against the magic. In fact, it is said tha the hills above Glýmur waterfall (glýmur meaning roaring) are called Skjálfandahæðir or Shaking hills because of this incident.

Finally, the blind pastor, with the help of his daughter leading him, had dragged Redhead the hot-tempered whale up to Hvalvatn Lake. Due to pure exhaustion from the difficult climb, Redhead died in the lake. The most intriguing part of the is story to me is that remains of whale bones have been found in this lake, which has led people to believe that it is a true story. When the pastor and his daughter returned home, the villagers were grateful for the work he had done to rid Redhead of the seas so it could be a little safer for all.

Random Fact of the Episode

Hvalfjörður is only 26 kilometers from Reykjavík, which is about an hour one way. It’s a lovely fjord and the drive is really nice. If have time and you want to take the scenic route, I recommend not taking the tunnel and driving on the longer road around the fjord. Due to the beauty of the fjord, remote location, and proximity to the city, many Icelanders have cabins in this area.

Icelandic Word of the Episode

Hvalfjörður literally means whale fjord

Books About Icelandic Folklore

Share this Post

Face...

This episode is part of my Folklore Friday series, where I am sharing fascinating stories from Icelandic folklore on Fridays throughout 2024.

The Wrath of an Elf Woman Scorned

How the Evil Icelandic Whale Came to Be

A Blind, Magical Icelander Pastor Vs a Massive Serial Killer Whale

Random Fact of the Episode

Icelandic Word of the Episode

Hvalfjörður literally means whale fjord

Books About Icelandic Folklore

Share this Post

Face...

Previous Episode

September in Iceland: Weather, Fun Activities & What to Expect

Visiting Iceland in September is an experience that combines the tail end of summer’s allure with the onset of autumn’s charm. Here’s what you can expect:

Previous Episodes About Months in Iceland

Weather and Average Temperature

Climate: September in Iceland marks the transition from summer to autumn but the temperature is still relatively mild.
Temperature: Average temperatures range from about 5°C to 10°C (41°F to 50°F). The days are generally cool and the nights chillier because we have dark nights now that summer is over.
Precipitation: There’s a fair chance of rain, so waterproof clothing is advised. However, it varies from year to year as to what the weather will be.

Daylight Hours in Iceland

Length of Day: In September, the days start to get noticeably shorter. You can expect around 11 to 14 hours of daylight.

September 1^st – The sun rises at 6:09 AM and sets at 8:44 PM, which is 14 hours and 35 minutes of day light

On September 15^th – The sun rises at 6:49 AM and sets at 7:54 PM, for a total of 13 hours and 5 minutes of day light.

September 30^th – The sun rises at 7:32 AM and sets at 7:01 PM, which means we have a total of 11 hours and 28 minutes of daylight.

Northern Lights: The diminishing daylight hours increase the chances of witnessing the Northern Lights, especially towards the end of the month.

What to Wear in Iceland in September

Layered Clothing: The key is to dress in layers. Bring thermal wear, sweaters, and a good quality waterproof and windproof jacket.
Footwear: Waterproof hiking boots are essential for exploring the outdoors.
Accessories: Don’t forget hats, gloves, and scarves, especially if you plan to stay out at night.

My Ultimate Packing Checklist will provide you with everything you need to bring. I recommend following the summer list. Just know that it can be a little chilly during the evening in July, especially in the north, so you will need some thicker layers.

Road Conditions & Driving in Iceland during September

Roads: Most main roads are still easily navigable. You can easily drive the ring road and many highland roads are still open, especially during the beginning of the month. Watch out still for sheep that are on the sides of the road. They might cross at any time, so be ready to stop.
Weather Impact: Sudden weather changes can affect driving conditions. Be prepared for rain or early snow in higher altitudes. In the north, West fjords, the highlands and parts of the East fjords, it is normal to see some snow on the mountains during this time. It’s winter showing us that it is not far away.
Driving Tips: Always check the weather forecast and road conditions before heading out. Sites like safetravel.is, road.is, yr.no, vedur.is are all great for checking if there are closed roads due to storms or other bad weather conditions.

Expert Trip Planning Tip for September

If you are looking to avoid the crowds of summer, September is a lovely time to visit. There are still long daylight hours and, as I mentioned above, most, if not all, highland roads are open. Plus, you can potentially see the northern lights!

Even though this is a shoulder season month, I still highly recommend booking accommodations far in advance. More people have been finding out that September is a great time to visit, so there is spillover of people from the peak summer months. This means accommodations you want might be a little hard to snag.

Renting a Car in September in Iceland

If you plan to explore Iceland on your own when you visit, I highly recommend using

Next Episode

Iceland’s Latest Volcanic Eruption is Destroying a Small Town

Unfortunately one of the worst case scenarios has happened in Grindavik when an eruption started this past Sunday early in the morning. Two fissures opened and one of them was right next to some houses.

Everyone in Iceland and in many parts of the world who have heard about this have heavy hearts because we have been seeing the destruction of people’s homes right before our eyes and can’t do anything about it. My heart goes out to those who have lost their homes.

In this update, I will share what is known right now, how the current eruption is impacting the rest of Iceland, if flights to and from Iceland are impacted, what the government is saying/doing, what’s happening at the Blue Lagoon, and where you can keep up to date about the eruption if you want more frequent information.

The Start of the Latest Eruption:

As a reminder, the last eruption was on December 18^th and it stopped after two days.

Early on Sunday morning, like about 3 AM, after hundreds of earthquakes, residents of Grindavik that had moved back to the town were evacuated. At around 8 in the morning, the eruption began. This is the fifth eruption in 4 years on the Reykjanes Peninsula.

The first fissure caused concern, but the level of fear heightened to a new level when a second fissure opened up very close to the town.

It’s being estimated that this eruption is one quarter the size of the previous one. There were thoughts that it could last up to a week but recently it looks like it is fading out. However, there is still a lot of uncertainty about what will happen next.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhTraaomFr8&feature=youtu.be

Donate to help the Residents of Grindavik

You can donate to the efforts to help the residents of Grindavik here – https://www.raudikrossinn.is/english/donate/donate-now/

What the Icelandic Government is Saying

The Prime Minister of Iceland, Katrin Jakobsdottir, said today that,

“It is of course the case that the government has decided to protect the settlement in Grindavík with the fortifications that have started to be built and will continue to be built. They have already shown and proven their worth.”

Katrín Jakobsdóttir

Is the Blue Lagoon or Svartstengi Power Station Impacted by the Eruption?

Due to the Blue Lagoon’s proximity to the eruption, it is currently closed. While the Svartstengi power station is still in tact, there is evidence of land rising in its area. We are waiting to see if that subsides or if another fissure opens up there too.

Are Flights to and From Iceland effected by the Volcanic Eruption?

Fortunately, there are not disturbances to flights arriving or departing from Iceland. The eruption is happening on the same peninsula where the airport is located BUT the airport is in a safe area away from the lava.

There is also no concerns about ash causing issues with flying because the eruption is not causing ash to form.

Can People Visit the Volcanic Eruption Site?

Due to the volatile nature of the eruption, the uncertainty of where a fissure can open up, and that authorities are working around the clock to finish building a wall to direct the lava in another direction, people are prohibited from visiting the eruption.

Please do not put your life at risk to see this eruption because it ultimately puts Search and Rescue team members lives at risk who will need to save you if you get into trouble.

Resources for More Frequent Updates About the Volcanic Eruption

Check out safetravel.is, if you plan to travel around Iceland – https://www.ruv.is/english
RUV English has a great timeline about what is going on and webcams
Ragga at the Lava Show on Tiktok (https://www.tiktok.com/@lavashowiceland) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/lavashowiceland/?hl=en)
Geology with Helga on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/geology_with_helga/