I visited the ‘other-worldly’ islands a few hours from UK with majestic mountains, all-day hikes and new direct flights

CALLING all anxiety-riddled, exhausted adults.

You’ve been working hard and need a break — somewhere away from the city, with plenty of nature, fresh air and birds to watch.

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Allow me to suggest the Faroe Islands.

There are 18 of them, all connected by bridges and subterranean tunnels.

Sitting between Iceland and Scotland, the islands provide an almost otherworldly destination.

And Atlantic Airways has launched direct flights from Gatwick this month, which means it’s easier than ever to get an eyeful of their sweeping scenery.

Gorgeous gorges, majestic mountains and fantastic fjords all stretch out as far as the eye can see.

There are hikes for all abilities — ranging from two-hour rambles between towns to all-day treks that take you to the most Instagram-worthy spots.

The oyster catcher — the Faroe Islands’ national bird chirp their hellos, while the doleful Faroe sheep watch us make our way through their stunning backyard.

One such hike is the trek from the islands’ capital Tórshavn to Kirkjubøur, one of the oldest towns in the Faroes which dates back to the 13th century.

You can walk up and back from the towns — about two hours each way — or a free bus runs regularly between them.

We scurry up the side of one of the mountains, following the cairns — piles of rocks strategically made into mini pyramids to guide you — to gape at the fjord below.

The oyster catcher — the Faroe Islands’ national bird chirp their hellos, while the doleful Faroe sheep watch us make our way through their stunning backyard.

Puffins are the birds most commonly associated with the Faroes.

But despite going to Vestmanna and other puffin hotspots, I didn’t get a chance to spot the red-beaked seabirds.

That’s because they hadn’t quite made it to the islands by mid-April when I was visiting.

But other birds, including fulmars, helped to fill the puffin-shaped whole in my heart.

And thankfully there’s plenty of other natural wonders you can soak up on the islands.

One spot to live out your country dreams is Hanusarstova, a farm owned by local couple Harriet and John.

Deftly jumping between feeding the stocky horses to preparing for the sheep to begin lambing, Harriet is an impressive woman to behold.

Just one feature of her farm, in village Avevig, is a gorgeous Airbnb where a conveniently placed window and ramp will mean you are greeted by sheep when you wake each morning.

It’s a surreal experience, seeing the beady eyes staring at you through the glass when you wake.

This chance to be close to nature and the tranquil isolation is the real draw of the Faroes.

And as if to prove my point, the dark night sky pulls out all the stops during my stay at 4H Hotel Foroyar which sits on the hill above Tórshavn.

Hearing a rumour that the Northern Lights are likely to appear that night, I scramble up the hill at about midnight and am rewarded with a spectacular show of colour.

Green and purple lights roll and flicker in the sky above my head as I take 41 photos in the space of 87 seconds, despite my freezing fingers.

It’s an unforgettable night and I have to drag myself away with the knowledge that an early morning wake-up call for another hike is on the cards.

Spirit renewed

The seclusion of the Faroe Islands is wonderful, but don’t be fooled that the isolation means they cannot rustle up some good grub.

There are top restaurants including Michelin-starred Roks, which serves fresh fish dishes such as Greenlandic snow crab with burnt onion butter and razor clam tartare.

But I choose to scoff down delicious risotto at Katrina Christiansen and steaks at The Tarv after long days of hiking.

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The local Parne bookshop is another perfect spot to take a break in after running around the mountains — and its rhubarb cheesecake is a delicious pick-me-up.

In four days, my tired city spirit has been renewed by the lush Faroes, and an interest in birdwatching has been well and truly sparked.

I know I’ll be back to finally catch a glimpse of a puffin.