Borgarey

Borgarey is a small island in the Westfjords in the north-west of Iceland. It is the innermost and smallest island of Ísafjarðardjúp, smaller than both Æðey and Vigur. Human settlement is limited, inter alia, by the lack of fresh water. The island is the property of the church in Vatnsfjörður; thus since there is no separation of church and state, it is public property. Nobody lives on the island, but in summer the owners sail over to it and collect eiderdown.

Map of Borgarey, Iceland

The area is very approximately 200 acres or 80 hectares.

The -ey signifies a small island, while -Borgar is the genitive singular of Borg (cognate to Burg etc.) which originally signified a hill. (Medieval forts tended to be built on hills.)