Programme and useful information
For more information about Walk Scilly or to book your tickets please refer to www. visitislesofscilly.com or call the Walk Scilly Team on 01720 424036. Alternatively, email enquiries@islandspartnership. co.uk. We’d love to hear from you!
WELCOME TO THE VERY FIRST WALK SCILLY WEEKEND TIME TO GET YOUR BOOTS ON!
Walk Scilly 2014 was so popular this year that we’ve decided to do it again – only this time in the autumn and over a weekend. For many, autumn is the very best time for walking in Scilly, the intense light of summer is now more gentle, bathing the landscape in a soft glow whilst the annual pilgrimage of migratory birds are just beginning to make an appearance. But don’t take our word for it, Walk Scilly is an invitation to make the most of the best that Scilly has to offer before autumn turns to winter. Come, join us and Walk Scilly. The Walk Scilly weekend starts on Friday 19th September and runs through to Sunday 21st. Taking in seven islands in three days, there has never been a better opportunity to explore the islands with some of the most
popular of our Walk Scilly Guides. The itinerary includes new walks, exciting routes and old favourites. There will be an opportunity to make the most of evening walks, to enjoy fine music and to sample the best of what the islands’ food and drink industry has to offer. The Tourist Information Centre (TIC) at Porthcressa, St Mary’s is a great place to find out more about the Walk Scilly Weekend. Between 19th and 21st September there will be dedicated Walk Scilly assistants available at all times able to answer any queries. The TIC will be open 9.00am to 5.00pm, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. You can contact the TIC on 01720 424031. What are you waiting for? Get your walking boots on and check out the list of exciting walking adventures that feature in the very first Walk Scilly Weekend.
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FOREWORD WHY SCILLY IS SUCH A PARADISE FOR WALKERS MARK SUTCLIFFE EDITOR OF COUNTRY WALKING MAGAZINE
The Isles of Scilly aren’t the easiest place to reach - you can’t bring your car and you have to go everywhere by boat or on foot… which is precisely what makes them such a paradise for walkers. Park the car in Penzance, secure the keys in the deepest pocket on your rucksack and forget about traffic jams for a week. Taking a leisurely cruise on the Scillonian III is the perfect prelude to an island adventure - creating a welcome buffer between the hustle and bustle of the mainland and the more relaxed rhythms of island life. And it’s the extra effort that’s required to get here that makes this enchanting archipelago just that little bit more exclusive: the people you’ll bump into on the islands really want to be on the islands.
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So what’s so special about trekking over an assortment of rocks that never rise higher than 50 metres above sea level? Well, in common with all lowlying areas, even the most modest prominence quickly elicits pretty epic views and on the Isles of Scilly, that means a breath-taking combination of wide-open skies, shimmering turquoise sea, brilliant white sand and rugged landscapes topped with gnarly tors and steeped in ancient history. These islands were at the hub of an almost forgotten civilization stretching across the Western Atlantic from the Hebrides in the north to Galicia in the south. The Isles of Scilly became a kind of Neolithic service station at the heart of this vast diaspora, offering a safe haven for vessels plying their trade across the Atlantic more than 1,000 years before Christopher Columbus set sail.
Over the centuries, the Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans and, inevitably, the Vikings stopped off on Scilly and when Britannia ruled the waves, many thousands of mariners lost their lives attempting to negotiate their perilous shoals.
But be warned, the primal attraction that has drawn people here for millennia is impossible to resist and once under its influence, few can resist the urge the return. Time and time again.
Wandering across the wilderness of St Agnes or over the cliffs of Tresco and Bryher, this rich history is never far beneath the surface. Explore these sceptred isles on foot and the echoes of all who have traversed this drowned landscape can be heard in the wind whispering around the tors and in the waves that crash onto its pristine beaches.
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FRIDAY 19TH SEPTEMBER Snorkelling with Seals, The Eastern Islands
Seashore Safari, St Mary’s
Why not try something really special - snorkelling with seals with the award winning St Martin’s Dive School. After changing into wetsuits on St Martin’s you will set off for the Eastern Islands to get up close and personal with the UK’s largest mammal, something to remember forever! No previous experience is necessary and all equipment is provided. There will be a hot drink and a snack for you at the end of the session. Please bring warm clothes to change into. Upon completion of your session you will be returned to St Martin’s where you can either explore for the day or return to St Mary’s. Please enquire at the TIC about return boat times.
Join Jaclyn Pearson on a safari of the seashore. Find out how the marine environment supports the amazing wildlife we find on Scilly. As part of the walk you will explore the sandy and rocky shore of Porthloo beach to discover the secrets that are exposed at low tide and learn why species such as the Manx Shearwater will migrate thousands of miles from South America each year to feed in our precious waters. We will be delving into rock pools, carefully looking at starfish, gobies, and other amazing creatures beneath seaweed and under rocks. Please wear sensible footwear for rock pooling (no bare feet). Grade: 2 | Max people: 25
Grade: 3 | Max people: 10 Guide: Anna Cawthray Start: 8.45am | Finish: 11.45am ‘ish Meet: St Mary’s Quay Cost: £32
Guide: Jaclyn Pearson S tart: 9.45am | Finish: 12.15pm M eet: Meet at Porthloo beach (look for Jaclyn’s bright orange hat - you can’t miss it!) Cost: £7.50
Anna Cawthray
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Jaclyn Pearson
St Martin’s Top to Toe
Autumnal Forage with a Scilly Twist, St Mary’s
Join local fisherman and farmer Keith Low as he shows you around his island home. A true son of St Martin’s Keith knows the island as few others do. This all day walk will literally take in all of St Martin’s - top to toe, covering local history, and a wealth of islands stories founded in over six decades of life on St Martin’s. Depending on weather and tide this walk will take in White Island as well. It will also include a stop off at the St Martin’s Vineyard for a tour of the vines and an opportunity to sample some of the fine wines grown by Val and Graham Thomas. Your guide will meet you at Higher Town Quay, St Martin’s. Dogs welcome on leads.
While elsewhere foragers will be collecting mushrooms, berries and nuts, here on Scilly the unique coastal environment brings an exciting range of flavours from seeds, herbs, fruits and leafy greens. Discover how to identify these wild foods and how to bring out their aromas on this foodie and nature amble. Laden with bounty, walkers will then be invited into the Tanglewood Kitchen at the Post Office to watch local chef Euan Rodger create a dish fit for a king based upon the afternoons findings. Tasters available! Dogs welcome on leads.
Grade: 3 | Max people: 25 Guide: Keith Low tart: The boat leaves St Mary’s at S 10.15am for a 10.45am start at Higher Town, St Martin’s | Finish: 4.30pm ‘ish Meet: Higher Town Quay, St Martin’s Cost: £17
Rachel Lambert has been teaching about wild food and guiding walks in Cornwall and Isles of Scilly for 7 years. Grade: 2 | Max people: 20 Guide: Rachel Lambert Start: 1.30pm | Finish: 4.00pm ’ish Meet: Tourist Information Centre, St Mary’s Cost: £10
Keith Low
Rachel Lambert
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FRIDAY EVENING Wildlife Safari The Western Rocks
Duo Prospero
Fancy something different? Why not try a Wildlife Safari with St Mary’s Boating Association? Join the Sapphire and Skipper Jo Pender to search for marine animals and birdlife amongst the Western Rocks. Enjoy some of the most remote scenery that Scilly has to offer whilst keeping an eye out for dolphins, seals, and all manner of birdlife. The Sapphire will depart St Mary’s at 2.00pm and St Agnes at 2.15pm for a 1.5 hour trip. Tickets can be purchased on the boat or at the TIC.
Immerse yourself in an hour of outstanding musical entertainment in the form of Duo Prospero. The islands’ very own violin and woodwind duo will entertain you with music from Bach to Mozart; via Lemzer, folk and jazz. An experience not to be missed! There is no charge to attend this session, however donations will be welcomed. The session will begin at 8.15pm, simply bring along an appreciation for fine music and prepare to be entertained (venue to be confirmed).
Grade: 1 | Max people: 60 Guide: Jo Pender Start: The Sapphire leaves St Mary’s at 2.00pm and leaves St Agnes at 2.15pm | Finish: 3.30pm ‘ish Meet: St Mary’s Quay/St Agnes Quay C ost: £13 adults, £6.50 children
The Sapphire
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SATURDAY 20TH SEPTEMBER Wild St Mary’s
Bryher ‘Top to Toe’
Join one of the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust’s most experienced rangers in an exploration of ‘Wild Scilly’. The walk will be a wildlife wander along the beautiful St Mary’s coast looking at the creatures and plants you encounter along the way. Fun for all the family! The walk will include a range of on route activities for children and those young at heart.
Join local artist, fireman, water technician, island waste manager, gig coxswain and all round islander to celebrate the colour and contrast of his Bryher home with a route taking you to see everything! 5 hours including lunch stop at Hell Bay Hotel. Dogs welcome on leads.
Grade: 2 | Max people: 25 Guide: Darren Hart S tart: 10.00am | Finish: 12.30pm at Old Town Cafe Meet: Holgates Green
Grade: 3 | Max people: 25 Guide: Chris Potterton S tart: 10.15am boat from St Mary’s for a 10.30am start on Bryher | Finish: 4.30pm Meet: Bar (Anneka’s Quay) Bryher Cost: £12.50
C ost: £7.50
Darren Hart
Chris Potterton
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History of Samson
Holy Vale Winery Experience, St Mary’s
Katharine Sawyer has been leading walks on Scilly since 2000 and has an MA in Archaeology and Anthropology as well as having recently received a PhD for her work on the Bronze Age Burial Chambers of Scilly. This walk, an exploration of the prehistoric and post-mediaeval sites on both the South and North Hills of Samson, was chosen as one of the National Trust’s Top 10 Great British Walks in 2013. Kicking off with a beach landing, this walk offers an opportunity to sample the very best of walking in Scilly. Bring something to drink and a snack. There are no facilities on Samson.
Come and experience St Mary’s newest visitor attraction, the Holy Vale Winery, with local hotelier and budding wine enthusiast Robert Francis - his labour of love for the part 6 years. Enjoy a personal tour of the winery and learn more about the challenges of growing vines on an isolated island at the mercy of the weather. Enjoy tasting up to 5 different fine wines with a selection of tapas, plus a glass of your favourite tipple! You are promised a memorable evening in one of the most tranquil spots on St Mary’s.
Grade: 3 | Max people: 25 Guide: Katharine Sawyer tart: The boat leaves St Mary’s at S 2.00pm for a 2.15pm start time on Samson | Finish: 4.30pm ’ish
Grade: 2 | Max people: 24 G uide: Robert Francis Start: 6.00pm | F inish: 7.30 pm ‘ish Meet: Holy Vale Winery Cost: £18.50
eet: St Mary’s Quay or the landing M beach on Samson Cost: £7.50 Katharine Sawyer
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Robert Francis
SATURDAY EVENING
SUNDAY 21ST SEPTEMBER
The Isles of Scilly Folk Club
Scilly at Sunrise
The Isles of Scilly Folk Club will be performing at Old Town Inn, St Mary’s from 8.00pm. Everyone is welcome to attend and to take part! Watch local musicians take to the stage and enjoy a night of vibrant and memorable folk music, Scilly style.
Watching the sunrise over the Eastern Islands is one of the most memorable sights in Scilly. Join long standing guide George Teideman on an early morning sunrise walk that will take in the best of St Mary’s during the quietest part of the day, before stopping to enjoy the sun rise on another Scilly day. Bring a picnic breakfast and a flask of your favourite early morning tipple!
Free entry, but donations welcomed.
Grade: 2 | Max people: 25 Guide: George Teideman Start: 6.30am | Finish: 9.00am Meet: Holgates Green Cost: £7.50
George Teideman
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St Agnes & Gugh ‘Top to Toe’
A Mediterranean Stroll - Tresco
A fantastic walk around the coast of Gugh with views to the Garrison, Samson and the Norrard Rocks, followed by a walk round St Agnes and the chance to look out towards the Western Rocks and the Bishop Rock lighthouse. This walk will stop for lunch at the Turk’s Head and just may well pop in at Troy Town Farm for a homemade ice cream too.
A great opportunity to visit the world famous Abbey Garden with over 18 acres of exotic plants and trees from Africa, Asia and Oceania that grow on Scilly thanks to the favourable climate. Dogs welcome on leads.
Grade: 3 | Max people: 25 Guide: Chas Wood S tart: The boat leaves St Mary’s for St Agnes at 10.15am. The Walk will start 10.45am | Finish: The return boat will be approximately 4.30pm M eet: The Turk’s Head at 10.45am Cost: £12.50
For those of you on Tresco ‘The Barnacles’ will be at the New Inn from 1.00pm playing their rousing blend of traditional dance music from around the world. Everyone welcome! Grade: 2 | Max people: no limit uide: Andrew Lawson (Head G Gardener) supported by Tresco Abbey Gardeners tart: The boat leaves St Mary’s at S 10.00am. The walk will commence at the Abbey Garden Entrance at 10.45am | Finish: 12.45pm. Boats will be returning to St Mary’s in the early and late afternoon Meet: Tresco Abbey Garden entrance Cost: £10
Chas Wood
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Andrew Lawson
History of St Helen’s; St Helen’s
Booking
Katharine Sawyer has an MA in Archaeology and Anthropology as well as having recently received a PhD for her work on the Bronze Age Burial Chambers of Scilly. This walk offers a unique opportunity to visit the two main archaeological sites on St Helen’s, the early mediaeval hermitage and the 18th century ‘Pest House’ or quarantine establishment, followed by a walk around this uninhabited island, with great views from the hill-top. The trip starts with a landing on the rocky coast so good footwear is essential. Bring something to drink and a snack. There are no facilities on St Helen’s.
1. Choose your walks and/or activities.
Grade: 3 | Max people: 25 Guide: Katharine Sawyer tart: The boat leaves St Mary’s at S 2.00pm for a 2.20pm start time on St Helen’s | Finish: 4.30pm ‘ish M eet: St Mary’s Quay or the landing beach at St Helen’s
– Call the Walk Scilly team on 01720 424036 and make your booking over the phone. – Or during the Walk Scilly weekend simply pop into the TIC at Porthcressa, St Mary’s and book your walk in person. 2. There are 3 ways to pay: – Debit or credit card over the phone, 01720 424036. – Cash, cheque or credit/debit card in the TIC during the course of the Walk Scilly weekend. – Cheque, payable to ‘Islands Tourism and Business Partnership’ . 3. Choose to pick up your tickets at the TIC on arrival or request that they are sent to you.
Cost: £7.50 Katharine Sawyer
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GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS TO MAKE THE BEST OF YOUR WALKS WALK GRADES 1 • Easy - easy stroll on road and path, level walk, no hills. 2 • Moderate - fairly easy walk on road and path, some incline. 3 • Hard – fairly strenuous, several inclines/hills on path and road.
All guided walks are weather dependent. Please check with the Walk Scilly team on 01720 424031 before setting out if unsure, or follow @ScillyTIC for up to date information on a daily basis. Every effort is undertaken to ensure that the guide mentioned will undertake each walk. If this is not possible a replacement guide will be sought. Walk Scilly 2014 organisers cannot be held responsible for cancellation/alteration of any walk due to unforeseen circumstances. Finish times are approximate. Guides All of our Walk Scilly guides will be easily identifiable by either their Walk Scilly Hat or High Vis jackets. Equipment Obviously most walks are best made in sturdy footwear and boots and dare we say it take a look at the weather forecast or at the sky before setting out. A light waterproof may be advisable some days as the weather can change quickly. 12
Cameras – ideal! Virtually every walk has its spectacular moments and you’ll be kicking yourself if you miss some great shots. Children Children are welcome on all of the walks. Preschool children go free on all standard walks. School age children will be charged at the standard rate. Boating Please check the times of walks when booking. Return boat times will be given out on the boat – if in doubt ask your guide. Please note walks do not include boat fares. During Walk Scilly Weekend discounted boat tickets can be purchased at the Tourist Information Centre at Porthcressa, St Mary’s or in advance by calling 01720 424036. Other Stuff Some walks are jam packed with information so a little notebook may make sense as will a sketchbook on some. And of course water or coffee or tea or a beer, gin and tonic or crème de menthe frappe – whatever takes your fancy as you tick off the yards. Dogs Many walks are suitable for accompaniment by our four legged friends but on others that could prove tricky; those where we would have no problem having them along indicate this. If you are not sure just ask.
The Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust welcomes Walk Scilly There is a wealth of wildlife just waiting to be discovered on Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust land and a network of footpaths and tracks to explore. Did you know? – The Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust cares for 60% of Scilly – that is one big nature reserve. – We have some very rare inhabitants such as Scilly shrews, the Scilly Bee, nesting Storm Petrels, the Dwarf Pansy, Orange Birdsfoot and a marine species known as the Orange Peel Bryozoan. – You can also discover remains left by Scilly’s prehistoric inhabitants with ancient settlements, field boundary walls and burial chambers and more recent remains like kelp pits and gig sheds. Scilly’s military history also has a strong presence in the landscape. – Please support our work by volunteering, becoming a member and giving a donation. – You can find out more about the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust at www.ios-wildlifetrust.org.uk
Supporters
Walk Scilly 2014 has been organised by the Islands’ Tourism & Business Partnership and supported by The Council of the Isles of Scilly and the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust.
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FURTHER INFORMATION T 01720 424036 - Walk Scilly Team T 01720 424031 - Tourist Information W visitislesofscilly.com
@ScillyTIC @visitIOS
visitislesofscilly
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