Lofoten Island's Northern Lights

Amidst the rugged beauty of Norway's Arctic Circle, the Lofoten Islands boast a geography that feels like a painting come to life. Jutting out of the Norwegian Sea, the archipelago is a blend of jagged peaks, vast fjords, and picturesque fishing villages.

Located at the 68th and 69th parallels north of the arctic circle, the islands have been inhabited for thousands of years, leaving behind a rich cultural heritage. Vikings called these islands their home, waging fierce battles and writing their sagas. For centuries, the islands have teemed with a vibrant fishing industry, with cod being a prized catch. The Gulf Stream, North Atlantic Current and Norwegian Current combine to make the climate and waters in the area warmer than they would normally be. This makes spawning conditions perfect for Arctic cod and as far back as the 11th century fishermen from around the world would travel here to catch their fill. Traditional red-painted fishing huts, called rorbuer (translates roughly to “small house for people who row”), dot the shoreline, offering a glimpse into the past and today provide accommodations for visitors.

In 1941, Lofoten’s fish oil factories were strategic for the German war effort. Glycerin was a vital ingredient in the manufacturing of high explosives, and all the Norwegian fish oil was being shipped to Germany, where the coveted ingredient was extracted from it. This gave the Allies reason to destroy the fish oil factories as part of an overall directive to disrupt the German forces in Europe. Operation Claymore was launched on March 4th, 1941 and was an overwhelming success disrupting all the fish oil factories and destroying 3600t of oil and glycerin. Arguably the most significant outcome however was the capture of a set of rotor wheels for an enigma machine that would allow the Allies to decipher German naval codes and avoid U-boat concentrations.

Despite all this, it is the auroras overhead that steal the show, painting the night sky with a breathtaking display of color and light. The Lofoten Islands' unique positioning within the auroral oval makes them an ideal location for witnessing the Northern Lights. They occur when charged particles from the sun carried by solar storms collide with gases in Earth's upper atmosphere. Oxygen causes green lights at lower altitudes (60 miles above the earth), and red lights at higher altitudes (200 miles). Nitrogen particles cause blue or purplish-red lights. Most nights during the peak season the night sky fills with these colours showcasing a breathtaking display.