The world’s loneliest house has sat abandoned for almost 100 years as mysteries swirl around the property's origins.
A tiny white house sits on the island of Elliðaey, just off the south coast of Iceland.
Elliðaey is known for its large puffin population, and sheer, rugged cliffs which make the place seem inhospitable to humans.
But at the base of a sharp incline in the land, sits a white cabin.
This single house has no shops around, no neighbours or services, no parks, just grass, and the sheer drop off the cliff edges.
It isn’t the only structure on Elliðaey, part of the Vestmannaeyjar archipelago, though, as a smaller, older building exists, but is used for storage.
There’s a lot of confusion and mystery as to the origins of the small house, and why it would be built on such an isolated little island.
One rumour boldly claims the house was built by a billionaire who planned to move to the remote island in the event of a zombie apocalypse.
Others have suggested that a religious hermit may be living there.
Another popular theory, which was comprehensively debunked, was that the Icelandic government gifted the island to famous singer Bjork.
Whilst the property sits empty now it seems, it was once home to five families some reports have claimed.
They relied on fishing, and raising cattle on the island to get by, but the last residents left by the 1930s, leaving the island abandoned.
But the reality of the house is less exciting than any of the myths.
It is believed to have been built by the Elliðaey Hunting Association as a base to hunt puffins which feast on the abundant supply of fish in the waters below.
The house serves as a hunting base for the group to support their activities on the island.
Being on the remote island, the property does not have electricity, running water and indoor plumbing, but seemingly does have gas for cooking.
However, it has a sauna which is fed by a natural rainwater collection system.
The island is also listed as a nature reserve and protected area.
Tour companies offer day trips to Elliðaey for tourists who want to explore its natural environment.
One YouTube video recorded a group travelling to the island by boat and exploring the infamous property.
In the video, it shows them having to drive right up to the rocks and clamber onto the island, tying themselves to the sheer cliff face before their ascent.
They travel to the smaller storage property before going onto the lodge which has a wood burner, gas cooker and modern fittings and furniture - suggesting someone’s been there more recently.
There’s even a barbecue with a stunning view of the Icelandic waters.
