The Selkies of the Westfjords
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The Selkies of the Westfjords

Selkies are creatures of Norse mythology capable of transforming from seal to human. Iceland's Westfjords hold the oldest legends of these melancholy beings.

1 min read Updated

What Are Selkies

Selkies are creatures of Norse and Celtic mythology who live as seals in the sea but can shed their seal skin to take human form on land.

The Tragedy of the Stolen Skin

The most common legend tells of a fisherman who finds an abandoned seal skin on the shore and hides it. The Selkie, deprived of her skin, cannot return to the sea and is forced to marry the man.

The Westfjords as Epicenter

Iceland's Westfjords, with their quiet bays and black pebble beaches, are the perfect environment for these stories.

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Where it takes place

65.5000° N · 23.0000° W

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