Skrúður

Iceland, Iceland

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Skrúður is Iceland's oldest botanical garden, established in 1909 by Reverend Sigtryggur Guðlaugsson, a Protestant pastor and teacher at the nearby boarding school of Núpur in the Westfjords region. Located on the lower slopes of the fjordside valleys on Dýrafjörður's northern edge near the village of Þingeyri and the Núpskirkja church, this tiny teaching garden was created to educate school students about land work, plant care, and plant recognition. The garden is famous for its distinctive entrance gate made from the jawbones of a fin whale hunted 100 years ago by Norwegian whalers, creating an arched whalebone entrance off Route 624. Skrúður showcases an extensive collection of trees, flowers, and plants including both native Icelandic species and exotic varieties that thrive in the unique northern climate, making it a remarkable example of successful gardening at such northern latitudes near the Arctic Circle. The garden received the International Carlo Scarpa Prize for gardens in 2013 and was officially protected (friðlýstur) in 2023, recognizing its historical and botanical significance as a testament to the history and success of gardening in northern regions. Accessible only during summer months, Skrúður offers visitors a tranquil botanical haven with diverse plant life, a garden house for relaxation, and breathtaking views of the Westfjords landscape, located approximately 36 kilometers from Ísafjörður and 395 kilometers from Iceland's capital Reykjavík.