FREE MAGAZINE 2021 Edition – Issue 07
Your guide to Scilly MAGAZINE
Itineraries, tips, activities and accommodation to help you make the most of every minute on Scilly.
Travel Isles of Scilly
DISCONNECT TO RECONNECT
IS LE S O F SCI LLY
Unplug from every day life and reconnect with loved ones and the outdoors.
DAYS OUT ON THE ISLES OF SCILLY
Travel
Our top 10 day trip ideas for the best days out on the islands.
Isles of Scilly
ISLES OF SCILLY TRAVEL BY SHIP | PLANE
IS LE S O F SCI LLY
Have a beach
to yourself
for the day
Welcome to S Magazine, our exclusive magazine for Skybus and Scillonian passengers, and thank you for travelling with us. We are delighted to welcome you back to the Isles of Scilly in 2021 after the past, challenging year with UK lockdowns often putting travel on hold. It has been an incredibly difficult time for everyone, and we are proud of the efforts and resilience shown by both our team at the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group, and across the community on Scilly, in rallying to adapt to new working and living practices to help keep people safe during the pandemic. As restrictions are slowly eased, please be reassured that your health and safety remains our utmost priority. We have installed many Covid-secure measures and ask you to join us in maintaining safe social distancing, wearing masks and using hand sanitiser as directed. MAGAZINE
We hope these measures will help you travel with peace of mind, and enjoy visiting the islands and everything they have to offer.
Isles of Scilly Steamship Company Limited, Steamship House, Quay Street, Penzance Cornwall TR18 4BZ S Magazine is produced by Isles of Scilly Steamship Group inhouse communications team. T +44 (0) 1736 334240 marketing@islesofscilly-travel.co.uk
Inside you’ll find a wealth of tips and suggestions to make the most of your visit, including island tips, accommodation ideas, itineraries for the perfect day trip, and suggestions of places to visit and food to try. However you choose to spend your time on Scilly, we’re confident you will love the islands as much as we do - and we wish you an enjoyable journey.
Editor | Sharon Sandercock
Travel
Scilly Thanks to allIsles thoseof who have contributed images for this publication.
IS LE S O F SCI LLY
Opinions expressed are the authors’ and not necessarily those of the Company. Whilst every effort is made to ensure total accuracy Isles of Scilly Steamship Group cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions within this magazine.
Travel Isles of Scilly
IS LE S O F SCI LLY
Discover more at islesofscilly-travel.co.uk Issue 07 | 3
Rooms with a view… Rooms witha aglorious view… view it is. and what Rooms with a view… view it is. and what a glorious and what ahave glorious view itanyis.hotel on Tregarthen’s Hotel must the most glorious setting of
St Mary’s, right by the water’s edge, just yards from the quay. The perfect Tregarthen’s Hotel must have the most glorious setting of any hotel on base for your break on Scilly. St Tregarthen’s Mary’s, rightHotel by the water’s edge, just yards from Theonperfect must have the most glorious settingthe of quay. any hotel St Mary’s, right by the water’s edge, just yards from the quay. The perfect base for your break on Scilly. base for your break on Scilly.
• Restaurant with panoramic sea views • Spacious lounge bar • Restaurant panoramic Free WiFiwith for all guests ••Restaurant with panoramic seasea views views • Spacious lounge bar • Spacious lounge bar • Free WiFi forfor allall guests • Free WiFi guests www.tregarthens-hotel.co.uk
• Luxury bedrooms, many with sea views • 6 self catering cottages
••Luxury manywith with Luxury bedrooms, bedrooms, many sea views sea views ••66self cottages self catering catering cottages
• Garden terrace for al fresco dining • Cornish Cream Teas
• Garden terrace al fresco • Garden terrace for for al fresco dining dining • Cornish Cream Teas • Cornish Cream Teas
| 01720 422540 | Located just above the Harbour on St Mary’s
Tregarthens S Magazine Ad Art.indd 1 11:01 www.tregarthens-hotel.co.uk 01720 422540 422540 || Located the Harbour on on St24/01/2020 Mary’s www.tregarthens-hotel.co.uk | |01720 Locatedjust justabove above the Harbour St Mary’s
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BUCKET LIST ADVENTURES
36
WHEN YOU SEE THE STARS, YOU ARE LOOKING INTO THE PAST
Contents
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OUR SPECIAL CENTENARY BOOK, ILLUSTRATED BY SUE LEWINGTON
08 10 12 14 18 20 22 26
DISCONNECT TO RECONNECT A journey of discovery. A PLANT BASED MENU Vegan and vegetarian friendly restaurants. TAKEAWAY DINING & PICNIC SPOTS A guide to alfresco dining and our favourite picnic locations. BUCKET LIST ADVENTURES Blogger Charli Moore ticks Scilly off her bucket list. ESSENTIAL ISLAND TIPS a few of our favourite tips if you have not visited before or just need a little reminder. TOP TEN ISLES OF SCILLY DAY TRIPS Our favourite ways to explore Scilly in a day. THE SPIRIT OF CRAFT Exciting flavours produced on the islands. SCILLY’S MAGICAL MEADOWS We’re talking about seagrass meadows and want to show you how special they are.
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WHEN YOU SEE THE STARS, YOU ARE LOOKING INTO THE PAST The island’s first observatory – COSMOS share their story. THE PERFECT PHOTO Matt from Aerial Cornwall shares his photographic journey of Scilly. ONE HUNDRED YEARS Our special centenary book, illustrated by Sue Lewington. IT’S A DOG’S LIFE Famously dog friendly, the Isles of Scilly is a perfect destination for the whole family. SOMETHING SPECIAL A selection of Scilly inspired gifts. STAY ON THE ISLES OF SCILLY | STOPOVERS IN CORNWALL AND DEVON Accommodation options from the mainland to the islands. DELIVERING FOR SCILLY Our missions, visions and values. SUSTAINABLE SCILLY We take a look at what the island community is doing to help tackle climate change.
Discover more at islesofscilly-travel.co.uk Issue 07 | 7
D I S C O N N E C T to R E C O N N E C T
Our everyday lives have been shaped dramatically in the last year, with restrictions on what was once normal. We stayed indoors and missed loved ones, anniversaries, special trips and much more. As life slowly begins to rebuild and restrictions ease, UK breaks can offer a chance to rest and digest, and restore mind and body.
the Isles of Scilly is where it starts; and it begins with the journey.
Whether you are flying from one of our departure airports at Exeter, Newquay or Land’s End, our departure process is efficient and secure and from the moment you check in, you will start to relax. Once on board Skybus planes, you will experience a bird's-eye The Isles of Scilly have often been referred to as a little view of the landscape below passing patchwork fields, bit of paradise just off the tip of Cornwall, where you can escape everyday life and the stress that comes with Cornish villages, and azure seas. Or you may be sailing modern living. They offer a chance to return to a natural on board our passenger ferry Scillonian III and have been met by our friendly team who’ve carefully secured your state of wellbeing with the help of welcoming luggage into the hold and welcomed you aboard our communities, healthy food, and a beautiful location. flagship. There is nothing better than starting your If you’ve dreamed of reconnecting with loved ones, holiday by seeing some of Cornwall’s greatest landmarks spending days wandering coast paths in awe of the populating the coastline, relaxing on deck and keeping wildlife inhabiting it, of an afternoon spent reading on a an eye out for dolphins and seabirds. warm beach while the kids play safely on the shore, where your itinerary is dictated by the tide and your dinner is determined by what’s come in on it… a visit to 8 | S MAGAZINE
The islands are the perfect place to unwind and catch up with yourself and loved ones. You may see a few cars on the Isles of Scilly but bustling, it is not. One of the best ways to spend a day exploring is by foot. Simply keep walking – the islands’ small size mean you won’t get lost, just keep an eye on the time if you’re catching a boat back from another island. On St. Mary’s there is a friendly and knowledgeable bike hire shop on The Strand (opposite St. Mary’s quay) from here, pick your route around the island, you’ll soon while away the hours happily cycling through the lanes and tracks. If you’d prefer something a bit more active, each of the ‘offislands’ has a watersports centre, choose between paddleboarding, sailing and kayaking – paddle between the islands and if you time it right on St. Martin’s, Ganilly Bay is a little slice of paradise not many people know about and it's only revealed at low tide. Snorkelling with seals is a popular activity too, you’ll be truly as immersed in nature as you can be.
And true to island life – you will find food fresh from honesty stalls or off the boat from the fisherman that day. At dusk, find yourself a vista on the cliffs and watch the sun go down over the sea – keep your eyes peeled for the elusive ‘green flash’ and see how many stars you can spot in the unpolluted sky. The great thing about Scilly is, it does not matter if you are travelling on your own, with family, partners or friends; it’s safe, friendly, calm and jaw-droppingly beautiful. The turquoise, still waters that surround the islands evoke a feeling of peace, the birds’ chorus at dawn will remind you of a serene English countryside and the exotic plant life transports you to an African plain. So much time spent at home has left us craving the outside world more than ever. Now is the time to get back to living, so turn off your devices and experience simple pleasures. Discover more at islesofscilly-travel.co.uk Issue 07 | 9
A plant-based menu on the Isles of Scilly Times are certainly changing, particularly for British high streets and restaurants; vegan and vegetarian food options are popular choices in many menus and are readily available on the shelves of supermarkets. Over on the Isles of Scilly, restaurants and cafés are following suit.
Here’s a quick lowdown of some of the vegan friendly establishments on Scilly: ST. MARY’S
Dibble and Grub restaurant has lots of vegan options available included in their popular tapas menu. The Atlantic Inn offers a separate vegan/veggie menu you can ask for, the main menu also labels dishes suitable for vegans. The Mermaid Inn has a veggie and vegan selection on the menu. This includes risotto, jackfruit fajitas, stir fry and vegan fish and chips. The Beach bar and restaurant at Porthmellon has super salads, a cassoulet of beans and veggie burgers. Hugh Street Café offers a large vegan menu including blueberry croissants, 10 | S MAGAZINE
Superfood Salad, Ruin Beach Cafe, Tresco
sausage rolls, chickpea and spinach pie, vegan pasties, falafel salad and more. Star Castle Hotel and restaurant will cater to vegan requirements with prior notice. On the Quay restaurant has vegan curries, puddings and snacks on its menu. BRYHER
Fraggle Rock bar and café has a vegan soup, salads and will cater to individual dietary needs. There is also Bryher Shop which has freshly stocked fruit and vegetables.
Vegan tapas, Dibble and Grub
TRESCO
Tresco Stores is a well-stocked deli with a wide selection of vegan foods. This includes five flavours of ice cream, pesto, chocolate, tofu, cheese, plant milks and frozen products from Amy’s Kitchen, Goodlife, Linda McCartney and more. Ruin Beach Café is perched above the beach at Raven’s Porth. Try its vibrant superfood salad, full of colour and texture.
ST. MARTIN’S
On St. Martin’s there is an organic bakery that will provide vegan options with notice. ST. AGNES
Forget drab, uninspiring salads and try the vibrant superfood salad, full of colour and texture.
Coastguards Cafe has a selection of vegan and vegetarian options.
Thai noodle salad with a spicy peanut dressing, Hugh Street Café Chocolate avocado cake, Hugh Street Cafe
Please note, this is not an exhaustive list, many of the eating establishments on the Isles of Scilly will happily cater to dietary needs.
Vegan tapas, Dibble and Grub
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TA K E AWAY DINING & PICNIC SPOTS St. Martin’s
Bryher
From deserted beaches to headlands with sweeping views, Scilly has no shortage of wonderful outdoor eating spots - made even more special when Picnic spot: It has got to be the Picnic spot: If you’d like a wild enjoyed with local food view looking out across the islands, Daymark. St. Martin’s has many and produce. head to Shipmen’s Head. For a more stunning viewpoints but the Whether you’re visiting the islands for a day trip or longer break, you simply must sample the islands' local produce. Due to the current restrictions, some restaurants and cafes have changed their services to be takeaway or limited sittings. Part of the Scilly experience is enjoying the landscape day and night, so there has never been a better time to enjoy a little alfresco dining. We’ve pulled together a hampers' feast from the islands’ independent producers, partnered with our favourite picnic spaces for your enjoyment. If you are staying on the islands in self-catering accommodation, Scilly Food Boxes is an online service available to order ahead of your arrival. Choose from fresh fruit and veg to locally produced jam and bread. Simply order online selecting your day of arrival at www.scillyfoodboxes.co.uk
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Daymark is one not to miss with its stunning vista of the Isles of Scilly.
sheltered spot, make your way to Rushy Bay.
Food: Bread and pasties - The
Food: Fresh fish - available from a
Island Baker, St Martin’s. Handmade by Barney McLachlan in a former lobster potting shed. Barney uses the best, organic flour and introduces a guest bread every week. His freshly made pasties are well-known on the islands; the spiced vegetable option is especially popular.
little shop on Bryher called ‘Island Fish’ or from weekly stalls on New Grimsby and St. Mary’s quays, or at the local produce market - the crab, lobster and wet fish are as fresh as can be. Fudge from Veronica Farm, Bryher. All the milk, cream and butter used by this small family business comes from cows at Troytown Farm on St Agnes. You’ll find this famous, crumbly fudge on a stall by the farm gate, and at Vine Cafe, Hell Bay and the island shop on Bryher, as well as in other outlets across the islands.
St. Mary’s
St. Agnes
Tresco
Picnic spot: If you’ve headed ‘north’ in search of duck and fresh juice, we recommend stopping off at Porthelick Cove and admiring the ‘Loaded Camel’ rock formation and Sir Cloudesley Shovell’s memorial. Before you head to this end of the island, we’d recommend a visit to the deli in Hugh Town for some extra picnic supplies.
Picnic spot: Our favourite picnic spot on St. Agnes is Wingletang Down, looking out to Bishop Rock and the wild Atlantic shores.
Picnic spot: By the Block House, along from Old Grimsby and a fairly short walking distance of Tresco Stores.
Food: Scilly raised duck legs from Salakee Farm, St Mary’s. Salakee ducks have had a happy life, with plenty of spaces to waddle in small groups (you might see the farm as Skybus comes into land). Purchase online or at the weekly (Saturday) farmers market behind the Town Hall on St. Mary’s. For fresh apple juice and jams or even a tipple if you fancy some cider, look out for Ang’s small shop outside Carn Friars Farm towards the eastern end of St. Mary’s.
Food: Troytown Farm has the
best ice cream on the islands, as well as meat and dairy produce. Coastguards Café is open for takeaways and the local post office shop has all your basic supplies including pasties and sandwiches.
Food: Tresco has a wonderful deli and store with a selection of dairy, breads, meat, fish and everything else you could possibly need for a picnic. The store is open 10am – 4pm daily.
Discover more at islesofscilly-travel.co.uk Issue 07 | 13
Tresco
BUCK ET LIST
ADVENTU RES BY
Charli Moore is a blogger who has travelled the world and last year made her first journey to the Isles of Scilly.
We caught up with Charli to hear what she thought of her visit. Charli runs a blog called Wanderlusters, visit: wanderlusters.com 14 | S MAGAZINE
Wanderluster Charli Moore
As we approached the runway the view from the window was akin to something from a Caribbean holiday rather than a staycation in England; azure blue ocean bordered a windswept and rocky coastline which gave way to a lush green landscape. I chose to visit during the second week of May and enjoyed practically tropical weather conditions with temperatures in the mid-20s during the day. I visited each of the five inhabited islands during my stay, here’s my lowdown of each:
ST. MARY’S Covering an area of less than 2.5 square miles it has an intimate atmosphere that exudes small island life. If you’re looking for something akin to small village living with easy access to restaurants, cafes, boutiques, and activities, consider finding accommodation on St. Mary’s and taking day trips to the other islands during your stay. MY FAVOURITE THINGS TO SEE AND DO ON ST. MARY’S: There are a wealth of hiking and cycling trails on the island, all of which lead to scenic views.
Windswept sand dunes, pristine beaches, and a rugged, undulating seascape stretched out in front of the quay. Tresco
Tresco St. Mary’s
St. Mary’s
Discover more at islesofscilly-travel.co.uk Issue 07 | 15
St. Mary’s
St. Mary’s
The Beach restaurant, St. Mary’s
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Hire a bike and circumnavigate the island under your own steam. I think this was quite possibly the best thing I did on St. Mary’s. Day hire is just £13.50 and you can spend your time discovering the island’s beaches and artisan produce. MY FAVOURITE PLACE TO EAT: In my TripAdvisor review I gave five stars all round for The Beach BBQ surf and turf restaurant which serves fresh island fayre in an upmarket beach shack. The grilled lobster is a must as are their mussels. Its cocktail list includes a few specials that change weekly. Highly recommended for supper as the sunset views over the water are some of the best I’ve ever seen.
BRYHER The smallest inhabited island in the Isles of Scilly, Bryher has an incredibly diverse coastline that is peppered with small bays and secluded coves. Its eastern shores look out over neighbouring Tresco but its vibe is quite different. Along with a handful of accommodation options here you’ll find a shop with bakery and Post Office, local produce stalls, a café and a bar. ST. AGNES England’s final frontier before the thousands of miles of Atlantic Ocean that separate us from America, St. Agnes is an island of contrasts.
On its exposed west side, rocky outcrops define the landscape, whereas inland TRESCO Windswept sand dunes, pristine you’ll find quaint cottages and a patchwork of flower fields. beaches, and a rugged, In the shelter of the east coast, undulating seascape stretched paradise beaches give way out in front of the quay. to quiet coves and the sandbar between St. Agnes and Famed for its Abbey Gardens and deserted beaches, Tresco is Gugh is particularly magical. perfect for active travellers and SOUND HEAVENLY? families in search of adventure. The northern peninsula is Having spent a week particularly scenic with sea cliffs exploring the islands, that look I can highly recommend the almost Scandinavian. ST. MARTIN’S I’d recommend St. Martin’s to anyone looking to self-cater their stay and spend time chilling out on the beach and enjoying nature walks. There are a handful of places to eat and drink, and one or two organised activities (the seal snorkelling is a must), but for the most part, life on St. Martin’s is about making your own fun.
destination for active travellers who love adventure.
Discover more at islesofscilly-travel.co.uk Issue 07 | 17
St. Mary’s
ESSENTIAL
ISL AN D TIPS The Isles of Scilly may look like the Caribbean, but they are in fact the British Isles and can still have the odd rainy day. We’ve put together a few of our favourite tips if you have not visited before or just need a little reminder. TIDE TIMES: Do check the tide times. On St. Agnes there are two islands in one, uncovered at low tide by a sand bar. If you get stuck on the island of Gugh it would prove quite difficult to get back. The same can be said for the ‘off-islands’. You are likely be dropped at one end of the island in the morning and be collected from a different quay at the other end of the island, depending on the tide. PUBLIC TRANSPORT: The public transport is mostly the inter-island boats and are governed by the tide. Take a look at the boating guide we put together on our website and the social media channels of the St. Mary’s Boatmen’s Association. When you are on the islands, generally you’ll get around on foot so sensible footwear is required, as well as a map. But rest assured, the islands are not big in size and the beauty of them is simply following your nose and exploring. PREPARE FOR ALL WEATHERS: Always pack a raincoat and sun cream, you never know when the weather will change on the islands. A coat is ideal for the boat trips between the islands as the waves can crash over the sides and the UV rays are quite high, so sun cream is required. PACK SOME WATER: While the islands aren’t large in size, there are no supermarkets, and the main shops are situated in Hugh Town. If you are off exploring for the day, pack plenty of water as you won’t be able to get any when you reach the Daymark and have the kids in tow. And don’t forget to bring a rucksack for your trip. CARRY LOOSE CHANGE: Most places on the islands take contactless payments, but there are also some lovely honesty stalls on the road sides selling fresh island produce and keepsakes. Having some loose change is a good idea if you would like to take anything home.
It’s perfectly normal for everyone you pass to say hello and wish you a good day!
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Discover more at islesofscilly-travel.co.uk Issue 07 | 19
TOP 10 DAY TR IPS Ou r top ten d ay t r ips on t he I sle s of S ci l ly. You c a n’t le ave t he i sl a nd w it hout…
1 Lunch at Juliet’s Garden Great food with outstanding views over St. Mary’s Island: St. Mary’s
Suitable for a day trip using these transport methods. Scillonian Skybus
S T. AGN E S
S T. M A RY ’S
5 Walking the ‘bar’ between Gugh and St. Agnes at low tide
6 Hire bikes on St. Mary’s and explore more of the island in less time
7 Rockpooling with the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust
Island: St. Agnes
Island: St. Mary’s
Island: St. Mary’s
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2 Hire a kayak and explore the channel between Bryher and Tresco
3 Tresco Abbey Gardens Experience the UK’s most tropical garden
Island: Bryher
Island: Tresco
4 Walk to the Daymark for exceptional views Island: St. Martin’s
BRY H E R
T R E SCO
S T. M A RT I N ’S
8 Take a boat trip to another island or go on a wildlife safari
9 Visit at an honesty stall and sample the wide range of island produce
10 Snorkel with seals around the Eastern Isles off St. Martin’s
Island: St. Mary’s
Island: all
Island: St. Martin’s
Discover more at islesofscilly-travel.co.uk Issue 07 | 21
B E N E F I T S F O R Y O U New from 2020, the Night Riviera GWR Sleeper train’s timetable is matched more closely with Scillonian III’s scheduled departure time, allowing more time for you to relax and refresh before boarding Scillonian III. On arrival or departure at Penzance, a GWR lounge is situated in Penzance train station for Night Sleeper passengers to freshen up with accessible shower facilities and complimentary snacks and drinks. Connecting by train to Scilly couldn’t be simpler.
ISLES OF SCILLY London Paddington
Exeter St. Mary’s
Penzance
And if you’re flying with Skybus from Exeter, you’ll receive a 10% discount when booking car parking on the Exeter Airport website. Simply enter Skybus2021 when booking online. If you’d like to use the Executive Lounge at Exeter Airport, as a Skybus passenger enter the promo code SKYEXT and you’ll get a £5 discount and free FastTrack security.
GWR lounge, Penzance Station
Executive lounge, Exeter Airport
EXPERIENCED HAULAGE CONTRACTORS WITH 50 YEARS EXPERIENCE ON THE ISLANDS FUEL, WATER AND AIR | VAN CRANE AND PLANT HIRE | LUGGAGE PICKUP | COURIER SERVICES DOMESTIC AND COMMERCIAL REMOVALS WORKING WITH OUR AGENTS ON THE MAINLAND ANYWHERE IN THE UK SKIP HIRE | BOAT LAUNCH AND RECOVERY | STORAGE AND AIRCRAFT REFUELLING islandcarriers@issg.co.uk | 01720 422662 | Porthmellon Industrial Estate, St. Mary`s, TR21 0JY
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Discover more at islesofscilly-travel.co.uk Issue 07 | 23
The
S
P I
RUM
R
I
T
of
C R
A
F
T
There’s no denying it, craft drinks have been a huge trend in the last few years with pioneers inventing new and exciting flavours with a story to tell. We, as consumers, want to see how a product has been made and move towards products made locally with craftmanship. We want genuine authenticity and creative flavours – and where better to experience this than the Isles of Scilly. Whether you’re visiting the islands and sampling the produce or want to take it away to enjoy at home, you simply must try a flavour of the islands. Here are just a few of Scilly’s unique drinks available.
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Carron Farm Distillery SC Dogs Premium rum and vodka, distilled from centuries of island life on the Isles of Scilly. Stories have always flowed in the blood of the farmers and fishermen of St. Martin’s. Of shipwrecks and smuggling, sunshine and storms. Now, at the first and only rum distillery on the Isles of Scilly, the Walder family has distilled those stories, that heritage, into SC Dogs premium spirits. Distilled, aged and bottled on the islands, SC Dogs is a range of delicately balanced premium rums and vodkas with a clean, rounded finish and a tang of the sea.
GIN
GIN
SOFT DRINKS
Westward Farm Scilly Gin
Scilly Spirit Island Gin
Carn Friars Farm Pear & Apple Juice
Bringing together some of the world’s finest botanicals, from Java and Africa to Scilly’s own fields. Aiden and his team gently vapour infuse in small stills with a pure grain spirit in tiny batches, producing just 28 bottles at a time, ensuring that none of the amazing flavours are lost. This small batch, single shot technique means that each batch is subtly unique, extracting the best of each botanical.
Distilled and bottled on St. Mary’s, the inspiration for this gin recipe dates to 1665 when the survivors of a ship, wrecked around Bishop Rock, were rescued by bold crew in pilot gig boats from St. Mary’s. Part of that ship’s rich cargo was pepper from Java for the Spice Trade, and so pepper is one of the six main botanicals that make up this multi award-winning Island Gin. For a unique experience, join a guided tour of the distillery at Old Town, St. Mary’s and create your own gin at the ‘Gin School’.
You’ll find Ang’s selection of fruits and jams – as well as popular apple juice from her 300-strong orchard – on an honesty stall towards the eastern end of St. Mary’s. What could be better than buying direct from the farm itself? All the fruit is handpicked and sorted before being pressed and blended. They also produce cider using this method!
Discover more at islesofscilly-travel.co.uk Issue 07 | 25
Discover more at islesofscilly-travel.co.uk Issue 07 | 27
Fun fact #1:
Seagrass meadows account for more than 10% of the ocean’s global carbon storage, while only covering around 0.1% of the ocean floor
Fun fact #3: There are four species of seagrass in the UK; two species of tasselweeds and two zostera species, commonly known as eelgrass.
Fun fact #2:
Fun fact #4: Seagrass can form dense underwater meadows, some of which are large enough to be seen from space!
Seagrass can absorb carbon up to 35x faster than The Amazon Rainforest!
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SCILLY’S MAGICAL MEADOWS with Steve Backshall and Nikki Banfield When you hear the word “meadow”, where does your imagination take you? Summer days with a cooling breeze? Wide open spaces filled with long, waving grasses? Greens and yellows dappled with bright, vibrant wild flowers? Peaceful, never-ending blue skies and the sounds of nature? What about the sea? Or, more specifically, under the sea? Did your mind take you there? Many people aren’t aware that some of our most amazing UK meadows are actually under the sea and we have stunning ones here in Scilly. Guess what else? All of the descriptions above are, maybe surprisingly, relevant to them too! We’re talking about seagrass meadows and we want to raise their profile and show you just how special they are.
Discover more at islesofscilly-travel.co.uk Issue 07 | 29
Seagrasses are different to seaweeds; they are the only flowering plants able to live in seawater and pollinate while submerged. Aptly nicknamed “the lungs of the sea”, seagrasses grow in shallow, sheltered marine environments and Scilly is home to one of the largest unbroken expanses of eelgrass, zostera marina (a species of seagrass), in England and Wales. This year, here at the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust, we want to raise awareness of, and learn more about, our underwater meadows and we’re doing this with the support of our awesome ambassadors Helen Glover and Steve Backshall (you might have heard of them!); and not only that we want you to help too! Seagrasses produce oxygen, clean our coastal waters, absorb greenhouse emissions, are home to thousands of animal species, support the livelihoods of millions of people globally and help slow down and prevent coastal erosion, amongst many other things. They are amazing but don’t just take our word for it, here’s what Steve has to say about them… “Seagrasses are the most criminally underrated habitat in the UK, a wonderland that even the most ardent of British naturalists and aquanauts rarely visit. These aquatic meadows of true flowering grasses have none of the cachet of coral, kudos of kelp forests or childhood nostalgia of the rockpool. Yet as a diver and naturalist, I can honestly say some of my unexpected and awe-inspiring marine dreams have happened within the hypnotic waving stems of a seagrass field.” Cool eh? Seagrass meadows, globally, are in decline. Since 1980, over 35% of the world’s seagrass meadows have been lost; equating to about 1.5% 30 | S MAGAZINE
per year, or two football fields each hour. A rate of loss equal to that of coral reefs and rainforests, yet not as well publicised or known about (Project Seagrass). Although Scilly’s seagrass has been the subject of research and scrutiny for many years, we don’t necessarily have a full picture of its location or status, and with your help we might be able to change that! Still not convinced? Let us hand you back to Steve to explain a bit more… “Here in the UK, tasselweeds and eelgrass are one of the most important nurseries for baby marine creatures, and home to weird and wonderful wildlife so exotic as to seem impossible. To watch a cuttlefish flickering a staccato light display across its skin, before turning black, then white, then dashing for cover and literally becoming its background… to watch a flounder evading the attentions of a baby shark (doo doo doo doo doo doo) a pipefish scuttling away from a milky eyed cormorant… to watch a queen scallop clapping its shells like a Flamenco castanet to swim to safety… these are some of our most bewitching undersea sights. However, what every diver or snorkeller who heads to the seagrass really wants to see is a seahorse.
OUR ENDGAME WOULD BE TO GET THE PRECIOUS SEAGRASS BEDS OF SCILLY PROTECTED, FOR EVERYONE’S FUTURE.
Steve & Helen on St Mary’s
The seahorse is a quirk of biology, and one of the most enigmatic and charismatic of all beasts. The two species we have in our seas (around the UK) are intricately carved, sensual in their movements, precious as any gem and as fragile as the seagrass beds they call home. But do we have them in Scilly?” During your explorations of our islands why not get involved with a bit of citizen science by helping us map our seagrass, whilst also keeping your eyes peeled for the
Seagrass Beds & Anemone © BareFoot Photographer
multitude of creatures that call these meadows home? You can do this by downloading the Seagrass Spotter App, identifying the species that you have come across and logging your finds with the seagrass sightings tracker (this can all be done within the app). It’s really that simple! You’ll not only be helping to map the locations of our seagrass, but you’ll also be contributing to science and future conservation work across our islands; helping us to keep Scilly special! We all know that Scilly’s natural environment is hugely special for a wide range of reasons; but the natural environment is also highly fragile, and not as healthy as it might seem. It’s being destroyed at an historically unprecedented rate, with 41% of species having declined in the UK since 1970 (State of Nature Report 2019). We want to ensure that nature in Scilly has the best possible chance of defying global trends and the first steps in doing that are to raise awareness, increase knowledge and recognise the value of our precious natural world. In the not-too-distant future we are hoping to create more opportunities for you to get involved whilst in Scilly; hopefully “swimming” alongside Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust ambassadors Helen and Steve! “As ambassadors to the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust, my wife Helen and I hope to lead snorkellers into the seagrass beds of Scilly for the first time. We’ ll be hoping to find many of the wonders that call this environment home, hoping to educate about the value and vulnerability of seagrass. Our endgame would be to get the precious seagrass beds of Scilly protected, for everyone’s future.” (Hippocampus guttulatus), attached to plastic seagrass © Alexander Mustard
Discover more at islesofscilly-travel.co.uk Issue 07 | 31
"Winning for Scilly Wildlife" is an exciting new way for you to support the work of the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust whilst being in with the chance of winning £25,000! You have a 1/63 chance of winning a prize and you can play as many times as you like each week. The more you play the more money is raised for the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust and protecting the very nature of Scilly.
Win:Win! Find out more
ios-wildlifetrust.org.uk/winning-for-scilly-wildlife
@ScillyWildlife
Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust
Registered Charity Number: 1097807
Ocean sunfish
Shag
Common dolphin
Atlantic grey seal
Richard Nicholls
Manx Shearwater
Puffin
WI LD LI FE & L AN D MAR KS The crossing between mainland Penzance and St. Mary’s on the Isles of Scilly is teeming with wildlife and popular landmarks.
TO P T I P
life ace to wild A good pl Runnel e th ar ne spot is ’s End area Stone/Land Wolf Rock. ds ar and tow e feeds. w the ildlif It ’s where ,
What will you see on your journey? Tick the ones you see!
Pete Crawford Captain Scillonian III
Daymark
Longship’s lighthouse
Land’s End
St. Michael’s Mount
Jubilee Pool
Minack Theatre Discover more at islesofscilly-travel.co.uk Issue 07 | 33
A premium nationwide delivery service now available on the Isles of Scilly through our partner the Tanglewood Kitchen Company.
Treat yourself to an authentic curry experience from the Oriental Club Express
Place your order via www.tanglewoodkitchen.co.uk or scan the QR code
1
ORDER BY 6PM ON SUNDAY Meals are cooked to order…
2
…then chilled to arrive in perfect condition for delivery across all five islands.
3
Simply re-heat and enjoy premium food at home.
Discover more at islesofscilly-travel.co.uk Issue 07 | 35
“When you see the stars, you are looking into the past” In 2018, an ambitious project to build a permanent astronomical observatory on St. Martin’s launched; the first of its kind on Scilly.
We’ve caught up with telescope suitable for deep Charlie Payne from the COSMOS team sky viewing; the other a to find out about stargazing on Scilly. versatile 5-inch Altair telescope - ideal for viewing the planets What is COSMOS? - sits alongside a solar COSMOS stands for Community telescope, used for observing Observatory the sun. We also have a wellSt. Martin’s on Scilly. We are equipped warm room for a group of enthusiastic amateur hosting talks and events. astronomers who live and work on St. Martin’s. After three years of How can visitors get fundraising, including a £2,000 involved whilst on Scilly? donation from the Isles of Scilly The observatory is open from Steamship Company’s Community 17th May - October 2021. We are Fund, our observatory opened in 2019. open to the public every We managed this as a team of Tuesday night (8-10pm) and volunteers. Friday afternoons (2-4pm), The observatory has two observation domes, one housing a 14-inch Meade 36 | S MAGAZINE
regardless of the weather. Keep an eye out for other events,
such as talks and specific observing nights during the season; everyone is welcome – all ages and abilities. What makes Scilly so special for star gazing? We have some of the darkest skies in the UK! With no light pollution, Scilly enjoys pristine night skies. On a clear night, the sheer number of stars is breathtaking; for many visitors, seeing the Milky Way arc across the sky is an unforgettable experience. Crucially, as islands, being surrounded by large stretches of water, stargazers on Scilly benefit from fantastic
Beginners’ tips for stargazing at home 1. Get dark! The best time for stargazing is an hour and a half after sunset. If you need a torch, only use one with a red light setting. Unless the moon is your target for viewing, you also might want to avoid the days around a full moon, as its brightness can drown out all but the most prominent stars and planets.
2. Find your way. You can use a star map to orientate yourself with the night sky. Start by finding one constellation you will remember, such as the plough. Try looking for it at different times of night and throughout the year and see where you find it in the sky.
4. Magnify. You only need your naked eyes to stargaze, but adding a bit of magnification can really add to your experience. A pair of binoculars is great for looking at the moon and for looking more closely at stars within constellations.
5. Keep going! Don’t expect to know it all at once. The more you can stargaze, the more you’ll be able to identify. Remember we all were absolute beginners once.
3. Get an app. Several brilliant apps are available for your mobile device which use your location to tell you exactly what’s in the sky at any given moment; COSMOS recommends Star Walk 2 or Sky Map.
sightlines. Our long, low horizons mean you have the chance to see objects – particularly the planets. Tell us an interesting fact about the night sky There are more stars in the Universe than there are grains of sand on the Earth. But you can only see 5% of them from the Earth! Do you have any favourite night sky quotes? “Look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Try to make sense of what you see, and wonder about what makes
the universe exist. Be curious.” – Stephen Hawking Can you tell us about the new inaugural Dark Skies Week in October 2021? The inaugural Scilly Dark Skies Week will take place on St. Martin’s 2nd–9th October 2021. Centred on our amazing, unpolluted dark skies and the new community observatory on St. Martin’s, join us for twinkly stargazing nights, expert guest speakers, island-based events and more. For more information visit www.cosmosscilly.co.uk/
dark-skies-week. Do you have any exciting future plans for COSMOS? We’re only in our third year of having an observatory so a lot of this year will be developing what we learnt to make sure everyone that visits us has a fantastic experience and comes away more enthused about our beautiful night sky. We hope in the future to work with more observatories around the UK, welcome more visiting astronomers and student groups, and to become a centre of excellence in research.
Discover more at islesofscilly-travel.co.uk Issue 07 | 37
The
P E R F E C T P H O T O
Right: St Martin's. Water clarity can really be shown off from the air. I love a straight down birds eye view to show this, it’s always an interesting perspective. Left: Tean is my personal favourite island to photograph. This was taken on a long summer’s day in July, Round Island Lighthouse is seen in the distance.
Scilly is a photographer’s paradise. Wherever you look, there are camera opportunities but seeing the islands from above is something special. We caught up with Matt from Aerial Cornwall to hear about his favourite places he’s captured by drone on the Isles of Scilly.
The tripper boats play a vital role in transport to and from the islands. I really like the shot of this boat zooming through a deep-water channel at low tide off St. Martin’s.
You can view more of Matt’s work at: aerialcornwall.com 38 | S MAGAZINE
The golden glow of the first light on St. Mary’s. I love the rugged coastline around Peninnis Lighthouse and it’s a great place to watch the sunrise. Note: If operating a drone on the Isles of Scilly it is vital you inform Air Traffic Control at St. Mary’s Airport prior to all flights.
Discover more at islesofscilly-travel.co.uk Issue 07 | 39
As part of our 100 year celebrations last year, we worked with Sue Lewington, a freelance illustrator living in west Cornwall, to create a special centenary illustrated book. 40 | S MAGAZINE
Sue specialises in ink and watercolour sketches and she lived on St Martin’s for 20 years, where she ran a gallery, before moving to west Penwith. Sue has a deep affinity with the islands and
regularly returns to Scilly and to the Shetland islands in Scotland. Sue has worked on a series of beautiful watercolour paintings illustrating and telling the story of different areas of the company.
Celebrating O N E H U N D R E D Y E A R S Illustrated by Sue Lewington Titled ‘One Hundred Years’ the book celebrates our 100 years of service to the Isles of Scilly and connecting people to the islands.
N OW AVA I L ABLE T O ORD 0173 6
ER C A LL: 3 3 42 2 0
£15
+£3.50 po
stage
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A DOG’S LIFE Pets love island life...
P
ets love island life! Famously dog friendly, the Isles of Scilly is a perfect staycation destination to travel with your four-legged companions. In 2020, Cornwall was named the number two hotspot destination to take dogs on holiday. Perhaps you are combining your Isles of Scilly trip with a twin centre break, staying in Cornwall. With 51 beaches in Cornwall welcoming dogs all year round and 81 with seasonal restrictions, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly are seriously dog friendly. The Isles of Scilly is a very accommodating destination for pets, with walking routes galore and endless beaches to explore. Most of St. Mary’s' beaches are open to dogs year-round – including Town beach, an ideal place to watch the comings and goings of the harbour. Porthmellon, Porthcressa, and Old Town beach are closed to dogs from 1st May to 30th September, but with so many others to choose from, you’ll never be short of options. On the other four inhabited islands, you’re free to roam the beaches with your dog — just remember to keep them on a lead if you are on Tresco.
breeding grounds and designated wildlife areas. When walking the many tracks and trails, do be careful near the cliff edge, many edges are unprotected with only bracken or gorse separating your pet from the sea. We welcome pets on board our services, they can travel in our Skybus Twin-Otter aircrafts from Newquay and Land’s End Airport or on our passenger ferry Scillonian III from Penzance. When travelling aboard Skybus, we ask you to take your pet into the aircraft and put them into our RSPCA approved crates in the cabin, you will sit next to them so they can see you for the duration of the flight; flights take 20 minutes from Land’s End Airport and 30 minutes from Newquay. On our passenger ferry Scillonian III, once checked in, you will board the ferry on foot and find a seat for the journey. Dogs often like being sat out on the open deck for the journey. Here is a map of Scillonian showing the areas dogs are not permitted in red.
There are boat trips between the islands with open decked boats that dogs love to travel on and smell the sea air, restaurants and cafes that welcome well behaved pets on a lead and plenty of dog friendly accommodation options. On the islands, dogs are asked to be kept on leads in community areas, church grounds and near bird
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Time to be... Book in some me time at the Island Spa, or meander through the subtropical splendour of the Abbey Garden. Enjoy a long lunch overlooking shimmering seas, explore the island by bike, or indulge in our gallery and boutique. Discover time to be on Tresco this year, with daily tripper boats from across the islands. TRESCO.CO.UK • 01720 422849
S PA & W E L L N E S S • A C C O M M O D AT I O N • A B B E Y G A R D E N • D I N I N G • G A L L E R Y
D F
C E
A
G
B H
SOMETHING SPECIAL From unique handcrafted gins to silver trinkets sourced from the shores of Scilly; our slice of Scilly products is just the thing to remind you of these special sand fringed islands. A The IOS Store/49 degrees We are the only Scillonian store and proud to be born and created here on the islands. Offering our ever-popular hoodies, sweats, t-shirts and accessories over a variety of unique designs for all the family. 49degrees.co.uk
C SC Salt SC Salt is made simply from the sea and the sun on the Isles of Scilly. Handmade salt from the crystal-clear waters of St. Martin’s Par. Available locally, on-board Scillonian or at Land’s End Airport. sc-salt.co.uk @sc_salt
D Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust Love Scilly? Now you can take iconic Scilly species with you, wherever go; celebrate B Scilly Billy our islands’ wildlife with Uniquely Scilly, our exclusive designs, range of clothing, bags beautifully drawn by and more, lets you take Cornish artists. Every the essence of your purchase supports the Scilly holiday with work of the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust; you wherever you go. You’ll find something for looking after the very the whole family. Come nature of the islands that have captured your and visit our shop on St. heart. Martin’s this summer or ios-wildlifetrust.org. online. uk/shop @ scillybilly.com ScillyWildlife
E Scilly Spirit Island Gin Handcrafted by Arthur and Hilary at their distillery on St. Mary’s in various sizes. Ideal for gifts or to enjoy during your island stay, or they’ll post your bottle/s home in their plastic free bespoke packaging. Or enjoy a glass in any venue on the island to taste the true Spirit of Scilly. scillyspirit.com/shop F Fay Page The Scilly Bee is unique to the islands so this year we’ve decided to create a solid silver version in celebration of this very special island resident. To see more of our island inspired, designed and crafted jewellery visit our workshop Monday to Friday 9:30–16:30 or visit faypage.co.uk @ faypagescilly
G Scilly Flowers Scilly’s postal flower service sending gift boxes of island grown scented flowers all year round to any UK address. Churchtown Farm, St. Martin’s. scillyflowers.co.uk H Perrans Above - Aerial Photography Gallery Perrans Above offers stunning aerial photographs of Scilly and mainland Cornwall. Experience our beautiful islands and coasts from unique bird’s-eye perspectives. Images are available as framed prints, panoramas, and posters. This online gallery provides free home delivery within the UK, USA, and Australia. perransabove.co.uk
Discover more at islesofscilly-travel.co.uk Issue 07 | 45
Travel Isles of Scilly
IS LE S O F SCI LLY
FLEXIBLE
BOOKINGS NOW AVAILABLE
WWW.ISLESOFSCILLY-TRAVEL.CO.UK/ISLES-OF-SCILLY-TRAVEL-FLEXIBLE-TICKETS
MAGAZINE 46 | 5 | SSMAGAZINE
Stay on the
Isles of Scilly Stopovers in Cornwall and Devon Whether you are visiting the Isles of Scilly for a day trip or longer break, or staying near to one of our departure points in Exeter, Newquay or west Cornwall, we have a selection of accommodation to suit all budgets and tastes. With hotels, bed and breakfasts, self-catering cottages and campsites, there’s a place for you to feel at home, wherever you are in your journey.
Discover more at islesofscilly-travel.co.uk Issue 07 | 47
Artist Residence C O R N W A L L
your next Cornish escape Roaring log burners, hearty home cooking, big squashy armchairs and the comfiest beds. Just like home (but better). Book 3 nights for the price of 2 from November to March. artistresidence.co.uk/penzance
Stay on the
Isles of Scilly Why not combine Scilly with Cornwall or Devon as part of a twin centre break? Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly are a haven for outdoor lovers. A twin-centre holiday gives you a chance to discover the length and breadth of the south west in one trip.
The Isles of Scilly Five islands you can stay on and countless more to explore. The Isles of Scilly share a common atmosphere, perspective, and pace of life. Each island has its own unique charms – and you’ll quickly find a favourite - a quiet bond with one island that feels that little bit more special than the others. But there’s no rush; after all you’ll have five inhabited islands and countless deserted ones to explore. St. Mary’s On St. Mary’s, you’ll be as close as the Isles of Scilly gets to being busy. Hugh Town is the main centre for all the local services and it’s the island where you’ll arrive. This is where you’ll find most of the shops, the bank, and the boats on to other islands. With beaches, shopping, countryside paths and coastal trials – there’s always something new to try. Tresco Tresco is best defined by the Abbey Garden: its world-renowned, 19th century garden and home to some 20,000 sub-tropical plants. Like anywhere on the Isles of Scilly, Tresco also has its share of beaches, panoramas and secluded spots.
Bryher Bryher has a bit of everything - a rugged Atlantic side with dramatic coastline and occasionally, waves to match. But its sheltered, eastern shores, looking across to Tresco, are sandy and calm. On some tides, you can even make the crossing on foot. You’ll also find sweeping views, a well-known artist’s studio and some of the islands’ most sought-after eating experiences. St. Martin’s The only difficult thing about a stay on St. Martin’s is deciding which beach you’ll visit. You’ll find white, sandy coves that slope gently into crystal-clear water. You’ll also find great local food, artisan bread, the island's famous flower farm and its own winery – and, for a truly once-in-a lifetime memory, the chance to go snorkelling surrounded by Atlantic Grey seals. St. Agnes The tip of the British Isles. To the south west, there’s nothing but Bishop Rock Lighthouse and three thousand miles of ocean. It’s unspoiled – with mysterious, Bronze Age archaeology, and rare birds brought in on the Atlantic currents. It’s also home to a community of 72 people, the famous Turk’s Head pub, and creamy Troytown Farm ice cream – made by just nine cows. Discover more at islesofscilly-travel.co.uk Issue 07 | 49
These are just a selection of the properties available on our accommodation directory, for the full selection visit islesofscilly-travel.co.uk
Bell Rock Hotel St. Mary’s www.bellrockhotel.co.uk Island, convenient for Skybus and Scillonian from St. Mary’s
Search by island or mainland departure point. Distances from departure points to the Isles of Scilly Wide range of accommodation to suit all budgets.
Charlotte House St. Mary’s charlottehouseios.co.uk Island, convenient for Skybus and Scillonian from St. Mary’s
Polreath Guest House St. Martin’s polreath.com Island, convenient for Skybus and Scillonian from St. Mary’s
The Threshing Mill St. Agnes Island, convenient for Skybus and Scillonian from St. Mary’s
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Stopover in
Cornwall or Devon
These are just a selection of island and mainland properties available on our accommodation directory, for the full selection visit islesofscilly-travel.co.uk/ accommodation-home/
SWPix
Why not combine your trip to Scilly with Cornwall Tour of Britain Cornwall will host the Tour of Britain for the first time ever on September 5th 2021, with the race seeing riders travel 170 kilometres through the Cornish countryside, starting at Penzance and ending in Bodmin. Find out more at cornwalltourofbritain.co.uk
WEST CORNWALL In west Cornwall, you’ll find rugged coastlines, awe-inspiring views, hidden beaches, stone monuments jutting from the cliffside, a castle in the ocean, forgotten mine stacks and a lively food and drink scene.
Little Nook Glamping Land’s End littlenookglamping.co.uk Mainland, convenient for Skybus from Land’s End and Scillonian from Penzance
Park & Stay Penzance
Artists Residence Penzance
01736 740277
artistresidence.co.uk/our-hotels/cornwall
Mainland, convenient for Skybus from Land’s End and Scillonian from Penzance
Mainland, convenient for Skybus from Land’s End and Scillonian from Penzance
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NEWQUAY AND THE NORTH COAST A landscape sculpted by the sea with tales of wrecking and smuggling and ancient myths about giants’ footsteps creating a causeway at Bedruthan Steps. Move away from the stories and you’ll find a surfing Mecca, a thriving food scene complemented with popular celebrity chefs and locally sourced produce.
Rosewin Cottage Near Polzeath corncott.com Mainland, convenient for Skybus from Newquay Airport
Watergate Bay Hotel Newquay
Headland Hotel Newquay
watergatebay.co.uk
headlandhotel.co.uk
Mainland, convenient for Skybus from Newquay Airport
EXETER, DEVON This small cathedral city is vibrant and packed full of history dating back to the Roman times. You’ll find culture, fascinating visitor attractions, a contemporary mix of shopping consisting of popular high street brands and one-off boutiques. Just 10 miles from the city is part of the South West Coast Path and on the outskirts of the city is Haldon Forest.
Mainland, convenient for Skybus from Newquay Airport
Do you have a holiday property you’d like to list on our directory? It’s completely free – get in touch with our marketing team. Email: marketing@issg.co.uk to find out how you can list your accommodation.
Larkbeare Grange B&B Exeter
Tumbling Weir Hotel Exeter
larkbeare.net
tumblingweirhotel.co.uk
Mainland, convenient for Skybus from Exeter Airport
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Mainland, convenient for Skybus from Exeter Airport
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Proud to be ‘Delivering for Scilly’
Collaboration Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, the
whole of the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company has contributed a huge team effort to ensure a lifeline service In 2019, we rolled out continues for the Isles of Scilly. our Mission, Vision and The travel centre team has had Values for the Isles of to adapt and answer customer queries, reassure passengers Scilly Steamship Company to help change and adopt new ways of working. Our office staff and the way we work and management teams have shape our future. worked tirelessly behind the scenes. Our Skybus and Scillonian teams and the crews Our vision is the reason we are here: “Delivering for Scilly”. Our at Penzance and St. Mary’s quays worked hard to ensure mission is the thing we want to lifeline transport services do: “To be recognised for continued. Travel on Scillonian III and Skybus changed with providing excellent transport increased measure. Scillonian services for Scilly”. Our values III saw the introduction of oneare we what stand for: “We have way systems on-board and eight key values that we aim to baggage drop off and collections live up to - safety, people focus, were changed to enable social distancing on the quays. excellence, transparency, respect, trust, collaboration and community."
Island Carriers provided essential haulage services on the islands,
We are still committed to continuing our ambitions. Take a look at a few of our behindthe-scenes snippets from 2020 that stood out for us as demonstrating one or more of our values.
crews of the island freight vessels Lyonesse Lady and Swift Lady ensured supplies and post were transported between the five inhabited islands.
Throughout the first lockdown in 2020, the crew of our freight ship Gry Maritha stayed on-board the vessel for the entire duration of
their two week rotations to ensure freight supplies were delivered to the islands. During the initial lockdown period, every Thursday night the ‘NHS Clap’ could be heard up and down the country. Our Scillonian III and Gry Maritha crews coordinated efforts to show support for key workers, by sounding their horns at 8pm on Thursdays. The ships’ horns added to the recognition and appreciation of all essential workers, from NHS staff to emergency services, supermarket employees and seafarers, who helped to keep the UK safe as well as stocked with essential food and medical supplies. And when the time came, we were honoured once again to deliver for Scilly, transporting more than one hundred of doses of the AstraZeneca Oxford vaccine by Skybus to St. Mary’s.
We need you to help us on our delivering for Scilly voyage As our passenger, you have an important role to play too. We need to know what we’re doing well - and what we can improve on. And that’s where you come in. We need your feedback, your suggestions, and your ideas. If there’s an area we’re not living up to our promises or if we’re going above and beyond - please let us know.
Discover more at islesofscilly-travel.co.uk Issue 07 | 55
WOR K I NG TOWA R DS A
S u stainabl e S C I L L Y
Partnership Over the last few years, we have been working in partnership with the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust. In January, the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust (IOSWT) successfully partnered a new project with Keep Britain Tidy Oceans Recovery Project. The aim of the partnership is to recycle all the rigid plastic gathered from Scilly’s coastline during Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust facilitated beach cleans. The Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust collects, sorts and logs the assortment of beach clean waste which is, where possible, salvaged and repurposed by enterprising islanders - old fish boxes are being transformed into flower beds; “ghost” fishing gear starting a new life training runner beans in an allotment; other finds being turned into creative works of art. Anything that then cannot be re-purposed by the islanders is either recycled, where possible, or transported by us on our freight ship Gry Maritha, before being collected by the Ocean Recovery Project. The first batch of plastics, totalling a huge 1100kg (just over 1 tonne) has now been collected from Penzance Quay by the Ocean Recovery Project, where it will begin the next stage of its journey; no longer posing a hazard to wildlife in and around Scilly’s seas. The Scilly beach plastics will eventually be sent to Chesney Orme at Chestnut Polymers Ltd where the waste will be converted into products which can replace wood, concrete and steel.
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The Gift of Friendship No doubt Scilly already has a special place in your heart, now you can share that love with those around you. By buying ‘Gift Friendship’ you will help protect what is important to you and your loved ones: Scilly’s animals, plants and stunning natural beauty. By supporting the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust, you will help to keep Scilly special for future visits and future generations. By becoming a friend of IOSWT you will enjoy: •
Bi-monthly video diaries from Scilly to your email inbox
•
Quarterly e-updates regarding all things wild in Scilly
•
Exclusive advance notice of any events and activities which we may be running
•
Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust e-yearbook “Annual wildlife news round-up”.
Find out more at: ios-wildlifetrust.org.uk
Community Along with the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust, the community on the Isles of Scilly is doing its bit to tackle climate change and make a difference to the planet’s future.
Project, which aims to cut electricity bills and address energy, waste, and water resources. These are just a few of the changes being made across the islands. When you visit the islands, please consider your water and energy use.
Looking after the seas Island Fish on Bryher understand the need to look after the sea in the same way a farmer looks after the landscape. It is using as low impact methods of fishing as possible and bringing any discarded rubbish ashore to be recycled, as well as the team doing a monthly beach clean on Bryher.
Doing our bit Being part of the aviation and marine industry, we recognise that while we are a contributor to the global CO2 emissions, we are committed to sustainable development and and reducing our CO2 emissions where possible. As we look ahead to the future and delivering for Scilly, we are in Island businesses the early stages of planning a vessel replacement On St. Martin’s, ‘Scilly Cow’ are a herd of Ruby Red service for the Isles of Scilly. We are currently Devon Cattle that graze on land managed by the discussing with our naval architects a way to find a IOSWT. They graze on land that is called greener, more efficient vessel and have the ‘rough land’ and is predominantly bracken and ability to modify and adapt the chosen gorse. By grazing this land, they help to keep propulsion system to ensure that we meet not just invasive species under control leaving space for the targets for Government, but but our other plants to grow and increased biodiversity. aspirations to minimise environmental impact at Phoenix skincare, also on St. Martin’s, launched in 2020 using only organic ingredients that are kind the earliest opportunity. to the environment, with seaweed harvested by hand, and produced on the island. Across the company we have reduced our printed Accommodation Hotels and accommodation providers across the five inhabited islands are doing their bit by reducing their food miles and using produce grown on the islands. Residents are reducing waste and energy consumption by working with the Smart Island
materials and moved to digital technologies, installed recycling systems onboard Scillonian and at Land’s End Airport, introduced a cycle to work scheme for employees, installed renewable energy supplies and much more. By working together collectively, we can make a difference to the islands and the planet.
Discover more at islesofscilly-travel.co.uk Issue 07 | 57
Beautiful clothing, footwear & accessories woven with stories of Cornwall
Garrison Lane, St Mary’s, Isles of Scilly, TR21 0JD | T: 01720 422030 1-3 Adelaide Street, Penzance, Cornwall, TR18 2ES | T: 01736 364369
seasaltcornwall.co.uk
