TRAPPED IN SIGLO

Siglo's Hotel

The story of Iceland's herring industry tells a familiar tale of boom and bust.

This modern day saga is thoughtfully told in a series of museums in Siglufordur’s town centre in North Iceland.  A re-enactment of the lives led by the "herring girls" fun to watch.

The town’s setting is picturesque with restored, colourful buildings nestled along the waterfront.  

Sweeping snow capped mountains rise all around from the valley floor.  Tell tale signs of avalanche danger are everywhere with an intricate series of break wall fencing embroidering the surrounding mountainsides.

Part of the museum complex

In the herring boom years an atmosphere much like the gold rush existed.  Siglo, as it’s called by the locals was the place to be.  Times were good.  And then the herring stopping coming.  The resource had been overfished.

Bad times followed with townspeople thrown out of work when the fish processing plants closed down.

"The Herring Girls"

Despite its erratic history, Siglo has made an impressive resurgence. Many people who had left in search of work elsewhere have returned and the town has been transformed.  The herring museum complex for one. 

An old dilapidated building has been converted into a successful hotel as hikers and nature enthusiastic discover this beautiful place.  

The Icelandic TV series “Trapped” was also filmed here and in Seydisfjordur, a later port of call.

Our day in Siglo was a revelation of sorts. We had been encouraged by the fact that changing course after bad times can turn out for the better in the end.