The Westman Islands, or Vestmannaeyjar, are found five miles off the south coast of Iceland. The archipelago numbers around 8, islands but only one is inhabited. The main island of Heimaey (or ‘Home Island’) can be reached by regular flights or ferries from the mainland. The islands provide spectacular scenery of soaring cliffs, rock stacks and volcanic caves. The climate is milder than the mainland but wet and windy. A major eruption in 1973 caused Heimaey to be evacuated but today it’s perfectly safe for visitors who hire a car in Vestmannaeyjar to tour the island.