The population oscillates as well. During censuses taken in the 18th century, 20 people lived in the village. In the 19th century, the population swings between 16 and 29, 25 in average, which also proved to be the pattern in the 20th century. At the most, in 1955, 35 people lived in Trøllanes.
As of 2015, according to official statistics, 16 people live in Trøllanes. People have lived here without interruption for centuries, a testimony to the excellent living conditions in the village during the time when people lived from hand to mouth. Here were the usual farm animals, sheep and cattle, providing milk, meat and wool. And then there was a rich bird life, which, duly exploited, provided meat and feathers. These, together with what the sea gave, even though the village was not ideal for fishing, was enough for sustenance, providing food and clothing. 
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The village of Trøllanes is first mentioned in a cadastre of 1584, when the village housed two farms. As the two families who ran the farms do not seem to be related, the village is probably far older. However, how old it is, is unknown.
Apart from the two farms that have been in the village since 1585, several other abodes have been in the village through the ages. In the 18th century, there were four residences but by the early 19th century there were only two (the original farms), increasing again to four later in that century. Early in the 20th century, the village was reduced to three households before growing to five later in the same century. 
The old and nwe smithy are worth a visit.
Money economy being non-existent in the 19th century, the villagers had tallow, feathers, dried fish and prepared wool to barter with. Meat was not sold, but in the beginning of the 20th century, sale of lamb commenced when the ship owners of Tvøroyri bought dried lamb as victual. That it was attractive to live in a remote village not easily accessible by land or sea is seen in how people from large and accessible settlements, such as Eiði, Fuglafjørður, Syðradalur (on Kalsoy), Viðareiði and elsewhere were ready to jump at the opportunity when a farm became available to let. Money culture arrived with the 20th century. Increase in production resulted in more income. Carriage of goods to and from the village increased as well. With this change, the village would not have survived in isolation. Therefore, it was in the nick of time when it became reachable by road in 1985. Without a road, the village would be depopulated by now. Today, tourism is a good supplement to agriculture. A well-known legend tells of the woman Giðja who chased the trolls away from Trøllanes in the name of Jesus. In addition to hikes to the cliff Kallurin and the peak Nestin, the quay, the church yard, the school, the old and new smithy are worth a visit. |
