A spokesperson for the Canadian couple who purchased the property Horn in Skorradalur, West Iceland, has told Fréttablaðið that access to Mt. Skessuhorn – which lies within the property – will not be restricted. Anyone who wants to hike on the mountain may continue to do so.
Concerns over possible restrictions
Earlier this week, Fréttablaðið reported that a Canadian businessman (who is said to have made his fortune in tech) had acquired the property Horn in Skorradalur, West Iceland. The estate includes the renowned Mt. Skessuhorn and is home to three fishing rivers: Hornsá, Álfsteinsá, and Andakílsá.
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Last May, the property was listed for sale. It sold within four days at a price exceeding the initial asking price of ISK 145 million ($1 million / €9720,000). As per Fréttablaðið, construction permits were granted in February for two edifices on the property: a capacious 1,000-square metre private residence, and a 700-square metre guesthouse, inclusive of a gymnasium.
After news of the sale went public, the chair of Samút – an association of outdoor recreation clubs in Iceland – stated that, although the news did not come as a surprise, he harboured concerns that foreign parties who purchased land in Iceland, and who are often seeking seclusion, would restrict access to their properties.
Access not restricted, spokesperson claims
Halldór Kristjánsson – CEO of the destination management company Nordic Luxury, and agent of the Canadian couple who bought Horn – told Fréttablaðið that the buyers did not intend on restricting access to Skessuhorn; the couple simply planned to erect a private residence on the property.
“Anyone who wants to walk on this mountain can continue doing so,” Halldór stated, adding that public rights would be duly honoured. The only thing that the couple would comment on, Halldór observed, was if people arrived in large groups and parked their vehicles outside the couple’s residence. He emphasised that the couple had no intentions of imposing any travel restrictions whatsoever and remarked that the public discussion had been blown out of proportion.
In conclusion, Halldór affirmed that the couple had no intention of utilizing the land for tourism-related activities. “They plan to build a residence for their own private use for a significant portion of the year,” he stated. He further noted that while the possibility of renting out some of the buildings existed, no decisions had been made yet. “At present, there are no proposals for any other form of development apart from private housing on the premises.”
This article was updated at 01:54 PM.
