Abandoned Farms of the East Iceland Highland Farms / Heiðarbýlin

The largest community in East Iceland is Egilsstaðir which lies on the banks of the Lagarfljót river, in an area known as Fljótsdalshérað (river valley district) and serves as the cultural, economic, and administrative hub of the area. This part of Iceland is also home to many diverse landforms and provides countless opportunities to explore both indoors and out!

This film is in Icelandic with English subtitles. You will see amazing scenery and learn about the now abandoned highland farms of East Iceland. People lived there for just over 100 years on Jökuldalsheiði and Vopnafjarðarheiði.

Hjördís Hilmarsdóttir lives at Gunnlaugsstaðir near Egilsstaðir in East Iceland. She is the supervisor of the Heiðarbýla project of the Highland Farms and has created this documentary film.

Many inhabitants of these Highland Farms moved to the Americas after the Askja volcanic eruption of 1875. Thus, many North Americans of Icelandic heritage are the descendants of people from the East Iceland abandoned farms. You can find much more information on our website: www.IcelandicRoots.com and join as a member to see the growing database of media, maps, cemeteries, and much information.