Thing Sites: Uppi millum Stovur Traditional Geocache
Thing Sites: Uppi millum Stovur
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A traditional Lock n Lock cache capable of holding logbook, pencil, and small swappable items.
There are Thing Sites caches in and around the locations of Norse and Viking assembly sites in Norway, Iceland, The Faroe Islands, Orkney, Shetland, Highland Scotland, and the Isle of Man. Follow in the footsteps of the Vikings, and explore some of these fascinating sites.
This cache marks one the Spring-Tings in the Faroe Islands. The site was/is situated in the middle of the island Suðuroy, near the village of Øravík. East of the village there is a small island Tjaldavíkshólmur and the bay Tjaldavík, where those attending the thing meetings would put up their tents. Tjald = tent, vík=woe or bay.
In the Viking and Middle Ages the means of transport were by the open Faroese boats. A hill next to the sheltered hollow is called “Rossatindar”, which might indicate that they also have used horses for transport. Ross=horse.
A cairned track leads from Øravík to the thingsite “Uppi millum Stovur”. Follow this track and imagine going to the thing meeting with your fellow farmers from Suðuroy, Was the winter severe or the lambing season cold? A sign saying “Tingstova” tells you, that you have arrived.
If you are driving the road from Øravík to the village Fámjin on the westcoast of Suðuroy passes by and a sign shows where to start your walk to reach the thingsite.
General information on the Thingsites
Thing sites, from the Old Norse Þing, are the early assemblies found throughout Northern Europe as a result of our shared Norse heritage.
When the Vikings and early Norse settlers arrived in a new place they brought with them their customs and legal systems. Political decisions were made at the thing, laws upheld and disputes settled. Proceedings were overseen by the local ruler and the law-speaker (judge), whose job was to memorise and recite the law. At some things, known as Althings, any free man was entitled to vote. At others - Lawthings - the crown and local communities acted together to interpret the law.
The thing was also a focus for religious activity, as well as trade and exchange. At Thingvellir in Iceland you can still see the remains of the booths, or huts, where traders came to do business with people attending the meeting.
The thing system for sharing and legislating power can still be recognised today. Several things continue to be active. The Icelandic parliament is still known as the Althing, the Norwegian parliament is called the Storting and the Faroese parliament goes by the name of Løgting. The Manx parliament, known as Tynwald, still holds a midsummer court on the thing mound at Tynwald Hill every year.
Park in the village Øravík for the longer hike, or at the lay-by near the signpost on the road to Fámjin for the short walk.
You can follow the cairned track from Øravík. The walk is just under 2 km, a gentle walk up hill. There might be some fences to cross. Accessible by children. When you reach the site, you can see the sign “Tingstovan” from the cairn.
By car, follow the road to Fámjin until you reach the sign “Tingstova” on your left hands side just after a bend. There are 2 lay-bys near the signpost.
Take care to leave space for another car to give way if meeting a car coming from Fámjin.
It is a 10 minutes walk to the hollow. You can walk down the small valley and round a small hill, it is an easy walk but it can be boggy. You have to cross a fence, there is a style to make it easier.
You can also walk further up the hillside and find another style over the same fence. You’ll find a narrow track on the hillside, this walk is steeper but dry.
The area can be boggy at certain times of the year, wear appropriate footwear. There might be sheep in the area, please close any gates behind you and keep to the countryside access code.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Uvqqra ol gur guvatpunve