Icelandic Eiderdown in the wild
Discover the intriguing world of Iceland's eiderdown and meet the dedicated farmers who continue this centuries-old tradition of sustainably and humanely collecting this precious downy resource.
Mama and papa eider duck
Óðinn has been around eider farming since his childhood. However, he and Ásta recently decided to start their own eiderdown operations by taking over Vattarnes farm between Reyðarfjörður and Fáskrúðsfjörður in East Iceland. In 2024, they moved there with their three children.
Eider farming through generations
A true family business, the eider sanctuary at Hraun á Skaga was started by Rögnvaldur’s father in 1914. One spring day, he noticed three eiders nesting by the shore and decided to protect them from predators. Through the efforts of Steinn and later those of Rögnvaldur and his wife, Guðlaug, and their descendants, the eider colony grew, and today, the nests number 2,500.
The Eider Farming Tour Guide
Formerly a sheep farmer, Helgi Þorsteinsson now focuses solely on the eider ducks, running his business, eiderdowncomforters.com, from Ytri-Nýpur in Vopnafjörður, East Iceland. He makes and sells his own duvets and pillows, and also offers tours of the nesting grounds.
The eider king and queen
Erla Friðriksdóttir and her husband Rafn Rafnsson run the King Eider eiderdown company and The Icelandic Eider Center in Stykkishólmur, West Iceland.
The Duck Daddy
Þorsteinn Ingimundarson calls himself the "Duck Daddy" of Önundarfjörður Fjord, in Iceland's remote Westfjords region.
The Machinist
In the remote beauty of Tálknafjörður Fjord in Iceland's Westfjords region, Hannes and Birna tirelessly protect their eider ducks while running a thriving eiderdown operation.
The bird nerds
Oddný and Magnús are turning their land at Keisbakki in West Iceland into an eider duck sanctuary.
The Hobby farmer
Discover the peaceful paradise of Straumfjörður, where Svanur Steinarsson and his family carry on the tradition of eider farming on their beautiful West Iceland land.
The Newcomer
Ragna Óskarsdóttir runs the company Icelandic Down in Borgarfjörður eystri with her family and local eider farmers.
The keepers of history
Step into the heart of Iceland's heritage with Bessa and her husband Björgvin at their family farm in stunning Önundarfjörður Fjord, a sanctuary where eider ducks and humans share a unique, centuries-old bond.
The eiderdown duvet producers
Hidden in plain sight on the idyllic island of Knarrarnes, off the coast of West Iceland, a tradition lives on where Rúnar and Dóra carry forward the legacy of eiderdown farming.
The goat farmer
Meet Halla Steinólfsdóttir, the heart and soul of Ytri-Fagridalur Farm in West Iceland! On her farm, rare Icelandic Settlement goats produce fine wool, and soon, Halla plans to craft delicious goat dairy products like ricotta cheese and goat Skyr.
The nightwatchmen
Helgi Pálmason continues his family’s legacy at Hlaðseyri Farm, an eider duck sanctuary in Patreksfjörður.
The islanders
Helga Jóhannesdóttir and her husband Gummi spend their summers on the Skáleyjar Islands, collecting eiderdown from around 5,000 nests.
The sheep farmer
Meet Rebekka from the southern part of Iceland's Westfjords, where life revolves around lambing season, eiderdown harvesting, and the beauty of nature