After 14 years of family holidays on Scilly and a yearning to relocate forever, a chance glance in Farmers’ Weekly gave Graham and Ruth Eggins, and their children, the perfect opportunity – to run Hillside Farm. “I come from a Devon family of tenant farmers but to have 40 acres of my own on Bryher, plus 140 more to graze, and to be self-sufficient is a dream come true. We keep Saddleback pigs, Red Ruby cows, 220 laying hens, honey bees and a couple of ponies. We also grow our own vegetables, adding new varieties every year including the sweetest (and secret variety of) strawberries, other soft fruits and asparagus. “Everything we grow and produce we sell directly from our farm gate and any surplus is snapped up here on Bryher by Hell Bay hotel or across the water on Tresco. Most mornings we’re up at 4am but it’s not hard work when you love what you do.”

The call of the sea is irresistible. Alone and deep in thought; truly at home on the water. Just the seals, seabirds and my catch for company. Nothing quite beats it.

As soon as I saw Bryher, I knew I wanted to work here. I love the self-sufficiency of island life; that everyone puts their hand to everything. We have to adapt and use whatever we have to hand – even down to the raw ingredients and what we prepare in our kitchen