From those in the Know

A Local's Guide

Discover the Magic of the Isles of Scilly through our ambassadors and loyal visitors who share their top tips and insider knowledge, along with their enthused passion for our tiny corner of the world. So, whether it’s an inaugural trip, or you’re practically a local, start exploring Scilly through the eyes of others and their wondrous island-hopping voyages: walking the isles, dining in style, discovering a cosy bolthole, finding the perfect beach or whiling away the hours, learning something new.  

There’s always something alternative, fun and exciting to discover on this tiny archipelago, set in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.

Hauntings Across the Isles of Scilly

Halloween on Scilly - 7 Spooky Tales and Ghostly Legends Halloween is in the air, and so is our love for all things spooky! Who can resist a chilling ghost story by a crackling fire or the thrill of a harmless scare? But you don’t need blood and gore to get into the Halloween spirit – the Isles of…

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SS Schiller: 150 Years On

This May marks the 150th anniversary of one of the most tragic maritime disasters in Scilly’s history - the sinking of the SS Schiller. Often referred to as the ‘Victorian Titanic,’ the luxury German liner met its devastating fate on May 7th, 1875, after striking the rocky Retarrier Ledges near…

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Lighting the way: lighthouses on Scilly

One of the first things you’ll notice when you arrive in the Isles of Scilly is the striking presence of its lighthouses. These six iconic structures, including the remote Wolf Rock, stand as vigilant guardians of the islands, warning sailors of the treacherous waters and rocky shores. The first…

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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 southwest of England. Their heritage on Scilly…

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Scilly's Hidden History

Island archaeologist Dr Katharine Sawyer unveils Scilly’s fascinating pre-historic past dating back some 8,000 years. Scilly was first visited by hunter gatherers a few thousand years ago – around 6,000BC to be a little more precise. Back then it was a seasonal affair, with Mesolithic occupants…

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Scilly’s Legendary Shipwreck Tales

The Isles of Scilly have been the site of many shipwrecks over the centuries – with over 500 registered wrecks around the archipelago. Here 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. It’s Scilly’s…

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A Renowned Shipwreck Expert and Maritime Historian

For more than twenty years Richard and Bridget have lived on St. Mary’s, although their relationship with Scilly dates to the sixties. As a Royal Navy diver Richard led the search for the Association, a naval diving expedition in 1967. This discovery led to international news interest and secured…

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