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History & Heritage

From shipwrecks to treasure, and from Bronze Age burial chambers to deserted villages, the history of Scilly is utterly compelling – especially as it mingles so tantalisingly with modern-day life on the islands. Scilly’s tiny land mass is home to 239 scheduled monuments, which means there is a greater density of historical sites here than anywhere else in the British Isles.

Everything on Scilly revolves around the sea… our maritime heritage is something that all Scillonian families are proud of with the traditional pastimes of flower farming, arable farming, fishing for lobsters, crabs and crawfish, and pilot gig rowing still prospering to this day.

The History of the Islands

The Isles of Scilly have a long and ancient history, it is theorised that they were originally one large island, called ‘Ennor’ from the Old Cornish for ‘Great Island’, that was flooded by the rising sea levels circa 400 AD. There is also evidence of settlement as early as the Stone Age, and you can still find submerged stone walls and boundaries.
Lighthouses

One of the first things you notice in the Isles of Scilly are the lighthouses. Six of them, if you count Wolf Rock, guard the islands from every approach, with the first built in 1680, the last in 1911.
The history of our pilot gigs

Back in the mid-19th Century, around 200 men worked as pilots on the Isles of Scilly. Today, gigs (specially-designed sea-faring rowing boats with six oarsmen and a coxswain) are raced purely for pleasure particularly throughout Cornwall and the south west of England. Their heritage on Scilly, meanwhile, remains very much a part of island life – dating back to the days when they helped incoming ships to navigate the waters, smuggled goods from abroad and performed daring rescues. We take a brief
Ships & Wrecks

The Isles of Scilly have been the site of many shipwrecks over the centuries – with over 500 registered wrecks around the archipelago. We take a look at the story of how Scilly became a significant ‘ship park’ – and one of the most notorious sites for wrecks in the British Isles.
Star Castle - touching history on holiday

How many hotels have you stayed in that were built in the shape of an eight-pointed star? For me, the Star Castle Hotel just outside Hugh Town was a first. Hazel Southam, journalist, broadcaster and now author, recalls her love of Scilly's rich history.
Museum on the Move & Walking Companion App

Island hop your way across Scilly and discover shipwreck treasures up close from over the centuries with Museum on the Move and the Shipwreck Companion App. Discover how here.