Five acclaimed authors have used their love and knowledge of Scilly to write a short story, one for each of the inhabited islands.
The Walking Stories have been collected together and published in a beautiful book and is available to purchase from various outlets on Scilly.
Alternatively, the stories are narrated and accompanied by original music, and are available to listen to below. Why not listen to them while following the route of the story, or by choosing a beautiful spot and absorbing the unique atmosphere of Scilly? We hope you will enjoy listening to these stories on the islands for which they were created.
Walking stories on St. Agnes with author Wyl Menmuir.
‘Basking Shark, a Walking Stories illustration' by Alex Bagnall
Half a Man by Michael Morpurgo, set on Bryher
The author of War Horse has written a poignant yet uplifting tale of the physical and mental scars of war, and the relationship between young Michael and his grandpa.
Half a Man © 2006 Michael Morpurgo
Valhalla by Sam Llewellyn, set on Tresco
The Valhalla figureheads are one of the glories of Tresco Abbey gardens - beautiful, romantic, and so powerful that it is possible to believe that they are alive... A dark story suitable for older listeners.
The Green Flash by Piers Lewin, set on St. Agnes
Our story is set on St. Agnes during the Bronze Age, when people first settled on Scilly. Many of their concerns were the same as ours: living within the environment; living within the community; just living……A little girl, Anya, has just lost her beloved father to the eternally hungry sea. Issues of immigration, belonging and alienation swirl like the tides beneath the surface of island life as she tries to find her place.
Images I did not capture with my camera by Wyl Menmuir, set on St. Martin’s
There are some events which need no photograph to jog the memory, events etched onto the mind’s eye as sharply as though they had just occurred. This story traces a route that spans six decades and recounts a wild life of basking sharks, fishing for eels and pilchards, falling in love, and of a deep and enduring relationship with a tiny pearl of an island.
Touching Base by Marion Molteno, set on St. Mary’s
Karen has brought her grandson to her home on St. Mary’s to give her daughter a break at a difficult time. As five-year old Dan and his grandmother walk across the island, touching base with favourite places from earlier holidays, we gradually learn the family’s story and the part the islands played in it.
Supported by
© Islands' Partnership
