"Scilly" redirects here. For the region of Italy, seeSicily. For the place in Surrey, seeScilly Isles, Surrey. For the atoll in the Society Islands, sometimes called "Scilly Atoll", seeManuae (Society Islands).
TheIsles of Scilly (/ˈsɪli/SIL-ee;Standard Written Form:Syllan,Enesek Syllan, orEnesow Syllan)[6] are a smallarchipelago off the southwestern tip ofCornwall,England, United Kingdom. One of the islands,St Agnes, is over four miles (six kilometres) further south than the most southerly point of theBritish mainland atLizard Point, and has the southernmost inhabited settlement in England, Troy Town.
The total population of the islands at the2021 United Kingdom census was 2,100 (rounded to the nearest 100).[7] A majority live on one island,St Mary's, and close to half live inHugh Town; the remainder live on four inhabited "off-islands". Scilly forms part of theceremonial county ofCornwall, and some services are combined with those of Cornwall. However, since 1890, the islands have hada separate local authority. Since the passing of the Isles of Scilly Order 1930, this authority has held the status ofcounty council, and today it is known as the Council of the Isles of Scilly.
The adjective "Scillonian" is sometimes used for people or things related to the archipelago. TheDuchy of Cornwall owns most of thefreehold land on the islands.Tourism is a major part of the local economy along with agriculture, particularly the production ofcut flowers.
Historically, the Isles of Scilly were known inLatin asInsulae Sillinae,[8]Silina orSiluruni,[9] corresponding to Greek forms Σίλυρες and Σύρινες.[10] In the Late Middle Ages they were known to European navigators asSorlingas (Spanish, Portuguese)[11] orSorlingues (French). In the Cornish language, the Isles of Scilly isSyllan.[12] The etymology is unknown.[13] However, some authors theorise "Place sacred to the goddessSulis" as a possibility.[14] Some authors suggest the LatinSillinae is derived or related tosolis insulae, "the Isles of the Sun".[15]
The islands may correspond to theCassiterides ('Tin Isles'), believed by some to have been visited by thePhoenicians and mentioned by theGreeks. While Cornwall is an ancienttin-mining region,[16] there is no evidence of this having taken place substantially on the islands.[17]
During theLate Roman Empire, the islands may have been a place ofexile. At least one person, one Tiberianus fromHispania, is known to have been condemned c. 385 to banishment on the isles, as well as the bishopInstantius, as part of the prosecution of thePriscillianists.[18]
The islands may have been a part of thesepolities until a short-lived conquest, by the English, in the 10th century CE was cut short by theNorman Conquest.[17]
It is likely that, until relatively recent times, the islands were much larger, and perhaps conjoined into one island named Ennor.Rising sea levels flooded the central plain around 400–500 AD, forming the current 55 islands and islets (if an island is defined as "land surrounded by water at high tide and supporting land vegetation").[17] The wordEnnor is a contraction of theOld Cornish[19]En Noer (Doer,mutated toNoer), meaning 'the land'[19] or 'the great island'.[20]
Evidence for the older, large island includes:
A description, written during Ancient Roman times, designates Scilly "Scillonia insula" in thesingular, indicating either a single island or an island much bigger than any of the others.[21]
At certainlow tides, the sea becomes shallow enough for people to walk between some of the islands.[26] This is possibly one of the sources for stories of "drowned lands", e.g.Lyonesse.[17]
Ancient field walls are visible below the hightideline off some of the islands, such asSamson.[27]
Some of the Cornish-language place names also appear to reflect historical shorelines and former land areas.[28]
Offshore, midway betweenLand's End and the Isles of Scilly, is the supposed location of the mythical lost land ofLyonesse, referred to inArthurian literature (of whichTristan is said to have been a prince). This may be afolk memory of inundated lands, but this legend is also common among theBrythonic peoples; the legend ofYs is a parallel and cognate legend in Brittany, as is that ofCantre'r Gwaelod in Wales.[17]
Olaf Tryggvason, who visited the islands in 986. It is said an encounter with a cleric there led him to ChristianiseNorway.At the time ofKing Cnut, the Isles of Scilly fell outsideEngland's rule, as did Cornwall and Wales.
Thou wilt become a renowned king, and do celebrated deeds. Many men wilt thou bring to faith and baptism, and both to thy own and others' good; and that thou mayst have no doubt of the truth of this answer, listen to these tokens. When thou comest to thy ships many of thy people will conspire against thee, and then a battle will follow in which many of thy men will fall, and thou wilt be wounded almost to death, and carried upon a shield to thy ship; yet after seven days thou shalt be well of thy wounds, and immediately thou shalt let thyself be baptised.[29]
The legend continues that, as the seer foretold, Olaf was attacked by a group ofmutineers upon returning to his ships. As soon as he had recovered from his wounds, he let himself be baptised. He then stopped raiding Christian cities, and lived in England and Ireland. In 995, he used an opportunity to return to Norway. When he arrived, theHaakon Jarl was facing a revolt. Olaf Tryggvason persuaded the rebels to accept him as their king, and Jarl Haakon was murdered by his own slave, while he was hiding from the rebels in a pig sty.[citation needed]
With theNorman Conquest, the Isles of Scilly came more under centralised Norman control. About 20 years later, theDomesday survey was conducted. The islands would have formed part of the "Exeter Domesday" circuit, which included Cornwall,Devon, Dorset,Somerset, andWiltshire.[citation needed]
In the mid-12th century, there was reportedly a Viking attack on the Isles of Scilly, calledSyllingar by the Norse,[30] recorded in theOrkneyinga saga—Sweyn Asleifsson "went south, under Ireland, and seized a barge belonging to some monks in Syllingar and plundered it."[30] (Chap LXXIII)
... the three chiefs—Swein, Þorbjörn and Eirik—went out on a plundering expedition. They went first to the Suðreyar [Hebrides], and all along the west to the Syllingar, where they gained a great victory in Maríuhöfn on Columba's-mass [9 June], and took much booty. Then they returned to the Orkneys.[30]
"Maríuhöfn" literally means "Mary's Harbour/Haven". The name does not make it clear if it referred to a harbour on a larger island than today's St Mary's, or a whole island.[citation needed]
Scilly was one of theHundreds of Cornwall (formerly known as Cornish Shires) in the early 19th century.Scilly Isles: map by John Bartholomew (1874)
At the turn of the 14th century, the Abbot and convent of Tavistock Abbey petitioned the king,
stat[ing] that they hold certain isles in the sea between Cornwall and Ireland, of which the largest is called Scilly, to which ships come passing between France, Normandy, Spain,Bayonne,Gascony, Scotland, Ireland, Wales and Cornwall: and, because they feel that in the event of a war breaking out between the kings of England and France, or between any of the other places mentioned, they would not have enough power to do justice to these sailors, they ask that they might exchange these islands for lands in Devon, saving the churches on the islands appropriated to them.[32]
William le Poer, coroner of Scilly, is recorded in 1305 as being worried about theextent of wrecking in the islands, and sending a petition to the King. The names provide a wide variety of origins, e.g. Robert and Henry Sage (English), Richard de Tregenestre (Cornish), Ace de Veldre (French), Davy Gogch (possibly Welsh, or Cornish), and Adam le Fuiz Yaldicz (possibly Spanish).[citation needed]
It is not known at what point the islanders stopped speaking theCornish language, but the language seems to have gone into decline in Cornwall beginning in theLate Middle Ages; it was still dominant between the islands and Bodmin at the time of the Reformation, but it suffered an accelerated decline thereafter. The islands appear to have lost the old Brythonic (Celtic P) language before parts ofPenwith on the mainland, in contrast to its Welsh sister language. Cornish is not directly linked toIrish orScottish Gaelic which falls into the Celtic Q group of languages.[citation needed]
During theEnglish Civil War, theParliamentarians captured the isles, only to see their garrison mutiny and return the isles to theRoyalists. By 1651 the Royalist governor,Sir John Grenville, was using the islands as a base forprivateering raids on Commonwealth and Dutch shipping. The Dutch admiralMaarten Tromp sailed to the isles and on arriving on 30 May 1651 demanded compensation. In the absence of compensation or a satisfactory reply, he declared war on England in June. It was during this period that the disputedThree Hundred and Thirty Five Years' War started between the isles and theNetherlands.[17]
In June 1651,Admiral Robert Blake recaptured the isles for theParliamentarians. Blake's initial attack onOld Grimsby failed, but the next attacks succeeded in takingTresco andBryher. Blake placed a battery on Tresco to fire onSt Mary's, but one of the guns exploded, killing its crew and injuring Blake. A second battery proved more successful. Subsequently, Grenville and Blake negotiated terms that permitted the Royalists to surrender honourably. The Parliamentary forces then set to fortifying the islands. They builtCromwell's Castle—a gun platform on the west side of Tresco—using materials scavenged from an earlier gun platform further up the hill. Although this poorly sited earlier platform dated back to the 1550s, it is now referred to asKing Charles's Castle.[17]
The Isles of Scilly served as a place of exile during the English Civil War. Among those exiled there wasUnitarianJon Biddle.[33]
During the night of 22 October 1707, the isles were the scene ofone of the worst maritime disasters in British history, when out of a fleet of 21 Royal Navy ships headed fromGibraltar toPortsmouth, six were driven onto the cliffs. Four of the ships sank or capsized, with at least 1,450 dead, including the commandingadmiral SirCloudesley Shovell.[17]
The Isles of Scilly, viewed from theInternational Space StationLocation of the Isles of Scilly (circled)The fivewards (which are also thecivil parishes) of the Isles of Scilly; red is St Agnes, blue is Bryher, orange is Tresco, green is St Martin's, and grey is St Mary's.
The Isles of Scilly form an archipelago of five inhabited islands (six ifGugh is counted separately from St Agnes) and numerous other small rockyislets (around 140 in total) lying 45 kilometres (24+1⁄2 nautical miles) offLand's End.[35] Troy Town Farm on St Agnes is the southernmost settlement of the United Kingdom.
The islands' position produces a place of great contrast; the ameliorating effect of the sea, greatly influenced by theNorth Atlantic Current, means they rarely have frost or snow, which allows local farmers to grow flowers well ahead of those in mainland Britain. The chief agricultural product is cut flowers, mostlydaffodils. Exposure toAtlantic winds also means that spectacular winter gales lash the islands from time to time.[citation needed] This is reflected in the landscape, most clearly seen on Tresco where the lushAbbey Gardens on the sheltered southern end of the island contrast with the lowheather and bare rock sculpted by the wind on the exposed northern end.[36]
In 1975 the islands were designated as anArea of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The designation covers the entire archipelago, including the uninhabited islands and rocks, and is the smallest such area in the UK. The islands of Annet and Samson have largeterneries and the islands are well populated byseals. The Isles of Scilly are the only British habitat of thelesser white-toothed shrew (Crocidura suaveolens), where it is known locally as a "teak" or "teke".[40]
The tidal range at the Isles of Scilly is high for an open sea location; the maximum for St Mary's is 5.99 m (19 ft 8 in). Additionally, the inter-island waters are mostly shallow, which atspring tides allows for dry land walking between several of the islands. Many of the northern islands can be reached from Tresco, including Bryher, Samson and St Martin's (requires very low tides). From St Martin's White Island, Little Ganilly and Great Arthur are reachable. Although the sound between St Mary's and Tresco, The Road, is fairly shallow, it never becomes totally dry, but according to some sources it should be possible to wade at extreme low tides. Around St Mary's several minor islands become accessible, including Taylor's Island on the west coast and Tolls Island on the east coast. From Saint Agnes, Gugh becomes accessible at each low tide, via atombolo.[citation needed]
The Isles of Scilly have aoceanic climate (Köppen:Cfb).[41] The average annual temperature is 12.0 °C (53.6 °F), the warmest place in the British Isles.[42] Winters are, by far, the warmest in the UK due to the moderating effects of theNorth Atlantic Drift of theGulf Stream.[43][44] Despite being on exactly the same latitude asWinnipeg in Canada, snow and frost are extremely rare. The maximum snowfall was 23 cm (9 in) on12 January 1987.[45]
The climate has mild winters and cool summers, moderated by theAtlantic Ocean, thus summer temperatures are not as warm as on the mainland. However, the Isles are one of the sunniest areas in the southwest with an average of seven hours per day in May. The lowest temperature ever recorded was −7.2 °C (19.0 °F) and the highest was 27.8 °C (82.0 °F).[46] The isles have never recorded a temperature below freezing in the months from May to November inclusive. Precipitation (the overwhelming majority of which is rain) averages about 35 in (890 mm) per year. The wettest months are from October to January, while April and May are the driest months.[citation needed]
The Isles of Scilly have been a famous location for flower farming for centuries, and in that timehorticultural flora has become a mainstay of the Scillonian economy.Due to theoceanic climate found on the Isles of Scilly the isles have the unique ability to grow a multitude of plants found around the world. Perhaps the most prominently grown flower on the Isles are the scented Narcissi orNarcissus, commonly known as the daffodil. There are flower farms on the isles of St. Agnes, St. Mary's, as well as St. Martin's and Bryher. The scented Narcissi are grown October through April, scented pinks orDianthus are the second most notably grown flower on the isles which are in full bloom from May through September. Summer time on the Isles provides the temperate conditions for the blossom of many more types of plant. Bermuda Buttercup orOxalis pes-caprae are very often found growing in bulb fields. In early summer,Digitalis colloquially known as foxgloves grow amongst hedgerows andbramble.
Other common sprouting plants throughout the summer season include:
Hedgerows were planted a century ago aswindbreaks to protect the crop fields and to survive battering from storms andsea spray. To thrive there, plants need sturdy roots and the ability to withstand salt and gusty winds.
A many species of exotic plants have been brought in over the years including some trees; however there are still few remaining native tree species on the Isles of Scilly: these includeelm,elder,hawthorn andgrey sallow.
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Scilly is situated far into theAtlantic Ocean, so many North American vagrant birds will make first European landfall in the archipelago. Scilly is responsible for many firsts for Britain, and is particularly good at producing vagrant American passerines. If an extremely rare bird turns up, the island will see a significant increase in numbers of birders. The islands are famous amongbirdwatchers for the large variety of rare and migratory birds that visit the islands. The peak time of year for sightings is generally in the autumn.[54]
The Scillonian Cross, the flag of the Isles of Scilly.Saint Piran's Cross, the flag of Cornwall. The Isles of Scilly were one of theHundreds of Cornwall, and although they have been administratively separate since 1890, they are still part of the ceremonial county ofCornwall.
Historically, the Isles of Scilly were primarily ruled by a Proprietor/Governor. The governor was a militarycommission made by the monarch in consultation with theAdmiralty in recognition of the islands' strategic position. The office of Governor was pre-eminent inmilitary law but not incivil law, where themagistracy was vested in the Proprietor, who had aleasehold from theDuchy of Cornwall of the islands' land area. Usually the Proprietor served as Governor, although, according toRobert Heath, a Major Bennett was Governor for a short time before ProprietorFrancis Godolphin, 2nd Earl of Godolphin was commissioned on 7 July 1733. The Proprietor/Governor was non-resident, delegating the military functions to a Lieutenant-Governor and the civil functions to a Council of twelve residents.[56]
An early governor of Scilly wasThomas Godolphin, whose sonFrancis received a lease on the Isles in 1568. The Godolphins and their Osborne relatives held this position until 1831, whenGeorge Osbourne, 6th Duke of Leeds surrendered the lease to the islands, with them then returning to direct rule from theDuchy of Cornwall. In 1834Augustus Smith acquired the lease from the Duchy for £20,000, and created the titleLord Proprietor of the Isles of Scilly. The lease remained in his family until it expired for most of the Isles in 1920 when ownership reverted to back to the Duchy of Cornwall. Today, the Dorrien-Smith family still holds the lease for the island ofTresco.[57]
Historically, the Isles of Scilly were administered as one of thehundreds of Cornwall, although the Cornwallquarter sessions had limited jurisdiction there. For judicial purposes,shrievalty purposes, andlieutenancy purposes, the Isles of Scilly are "deemed to form part of the county of Cornwall".[60]
TheLocal Government Act 1888 allowed theLocal Government Board to establish in the Isles of Scilly "councils and other local authorities separate from those of the county of Cornwall"... "for the application to the islands of any act touching local government." Accordingly, in 1890 theIsles of Scilly Rural District Council (the RDC) was formed as asui generisunitary authority, outside theadministrative county of Cornwall. Cornwall County Council provided some services to the Isles, for which the RDC made financial contributions. The Isles of Scilly Order 1930[61] granted the council the "powers, duties and liabilities" of acounty council. Section 265 of theLocal Government Act 1972 allowed for the continued existence of the RDC, but renamed as theCouncil of the Isles of Scilly.[62][63] This unusual status also means that much administrative law (for example relating to the functions of local authorities, the health service and other public bodies) that applies in the rest of England applies in modified form in the islands.[64]
With a total population of just over 2,000, the council represents fewer inhabitants than many Englishparish councils, and is by far the smallest English unitary council. As of 2015[update], 130 people are employedfull-time by the council[65] to provide local services (including water supply andair traffic control). These numbers are significant, in that almost 10% of the adult population of the islands is directly linked to the council, as an employee or a councillor.[66]
The Council consists of 16 elected councillors, 12 of whom are returned by theward of St Mary's, and one from each of four "off-island" wards (St Martin's, St Agnes, Bryher, and Tresco). Thelatest elections took place on 6 May 2021; all 15 councillors elected wereindependents.[67] One seat, for the island of Bryher, received no nominations and remained vacant until filled by a further independent councillor on 28 May.[68]
Some aspects of local government are shared with Cornwall, includinghealth, and the Council of the Isles of Scilly together withCornwall Council form aLocal Enterprise Partnership. In July 2015 adevolution deal was announced by thegovernment under which Cornwall Council and the Council of the Isles of Scilly are to create a plan to bring health and social care services together under local control. The Local Enterprise Partnership is also to be bolstered.[71]
Two flags are used to represent Scilly, TheScillonian Cross, selected by readers ofScilly News in a 2002 vote and then registered with theFlag Institute as the flag of the islands,[72][73][74] and the flag of the Council of the Isles of Scilly, which incorporates the council's logo and represents the council.[72] An adapted version of the old Board of Ordnance flag has also been used, after it was left behind when munitions were removed from the isles. The "Cornish Ensign" (the Cornish cross with the Union Jack in the canton) has also been used.[72][75]
The islands have their own independent fire brigade – theIsles of Scilly Fire and Rescue Service – which is staffed entirely by retained firefighters on all the inhabited islands.[78]
The emergency ambulance service is provided by the South Western Ambulance Service with full-timeparamedics employed to cover the islands working withemergency care attendants.[79]
Education is available on the islands up to age 16. There is one school, theFive Islands Academy, which provides primary schooling at sites on St Agnes, St Mary's, St Martin's and Tresco, and secondary schooling at a site on St Mary's, with secondary students from outside St Mary's living at a school boarding house (Mundesley House) during the week.[81] Sixteen- to eighteen-year-olds are entitled to a freesixth form place at a state school or sixth form college on the mainland, and are provided with free flights and a grant towards accommodation.[82]
Since the mid-18th century the Scillonian economy has relied on trade with the mainland and beyond as a means of sustaining its population. Over the years the nature of this trade has varied, due to wider economic and political factors that have seen the rise and fall of industries, such askelp harvesting,pilotage, smuggling, fishing,shipbuilding and, latterlyflower farming. In a 1987 study of the Scillonian economy, Neate found that many farms on the islands were struggling to remain profitable due to increasing costs and strong competition from overseas producers, with resulting diversification into tourism. Statistics suggest that agriculture on the islands now represents less than 2% of all employment.[83][84][85]
TheDaymark (daylight version of alighthouse) on St Martins, the nearest point to the mainland ofCornwall.
Today, tourism is estimated to account for 85% of the islands' income. The islands have been successful in attracting this investment due to their special environment, favourable summer climate, relaxed culture, efficient co-ordination of tourism providers and good transport links by sea and air to the mainland, uncommon in scale to similar-sized island communities.[86][87]
The islands' economy is highly dependent on tourism, even by the standards of other island communities. "The concentration [on] a small number of sectors is typical of most similarly sized UK island communities. However, it is the degree of concentration, which is distinctive along with the overall importance of tourism within the economy as a whole and the very limited manufacturing base that stands out".[84]
Tourism is also a highly seasonal industry owing to its reliance on outdoor recreation, and the lower number of tourists in winter results in a significant constriction of the islands' commercial activities. However, the tourist season benefits from an extended period of business in October when manybirdwatchers ("twitchers") arrive.[citation needed]
Because of its position, Scilly is the first landing for many migrant birds, including extreme rarities from North America andSiberia. Scilly is situated far into the Atlantic Ocean, so many American vagrant birds will make first European landfall in the archipelago.[88]
If an extremely rare bird turns up, the island will see a significant increase in numbers of birdwatchers. This type of birding, chasing after rare birds, is called "twitching".[citation needed]
The predominance of tourism means that "tourism is by far the main sector throughout each of the individual islands, in terms of employment... [and] this is much greater than other remote and rural areas in the United Kingdom". Tourism accounts for approximately 63% of all employment.[84]
Businesses dependent on tourism, with the exception of a few hotels, tend to be small enterprises typically employing fewer than four people; many of these are family run, suggesting an entrepreneurial culture among the local population.[84] However, much of the work generated by this, with the exception of management, is low skilled and thus poorly paid, especially for those involved in cleaning, catering and retail.[89]
Because of the seasonality of tourism, many jobs on the islands are seasonal and part-time, so work cannot be guaranteed throughout the year. Some islanders take up other temporary jobs 'out of season' to compensate for this. Due to a lack of local casual labour at peak holiday times, many of the larger employers accommodate guest workers.[citation needed]
The islands were not subject toincome tax until 1954, and there was no motorvehicle excise duty levied until 1971.[90] TheCouncil Tax is set by the Local Authority in order to meet their budget requirements. TheValuation Office Agency values properties for the purpose of council tax.[91] The amount of council tax paid depends on the band of the property as shown below. Thevaluation is based on what the property would have been worth in 1991.[91]
An electric golf buggy on St Mary's; these are road licensed and available for hire, as are bicycles, for use on public roads on the island.Scillonian III in St Mary's Harbour
St Mary's is the only island with a significant road network and the only island with classified roads - the A3110, A3111 and A3112. St Agnes and St Martin's also have public highways adopted by the local authority.[92] In 2005 there were 619 registered vehicles on the island. The island also hastaxis and a tourbus. Vehicles on the islands are exempt from annualMOT tests.[93][94]
By sea, theIsles of Scilly Steamship Company provides a passenger and cargo service fromPenzance to St Mary's, which is currently operated by theScillonian III passenger ferry, supported until summer 2017 by theGry Maritha cargo vessel and now by theMali Rose. The other islands are linked to St. Mary's by a network of inter-islandlaunches.[97]St Mary's Harbour is the principal harbour of the Isles of Scilly, and is located in Hugh Town.[98]
A majority of thefreehold land of the islands is the property of theDuchy of Cornwall, with a few exceptions, including much ofHugh Town on St Mary's, which was sold to the inhabitants in 1949. The duchy also holds 3,921 acres (1,587 hectares) as duchy property, part of the duchy's landholding.[99] All the uninhabited islands, islets and rocks and much of the untenanted land on the inhabited islands is managed by theIsles of Scilly Wildlife Trust, which leases these lands from the Duchy for the rent of one daffodil per year.[100]
Limited housing availability is a contentious yet critical issue for the Isles of Scilly, especially as it affects the feasibility of residency on the islands. Few properties are privately owned, with many units being let by the Duchy of Cornwall, the council and a few byhousing associations. The management of these subsequently affects the possibility of residency on the islands.[101]
Housing demand outstrips supply, a problem compounded by restrictions on further development designed to protect the islands' unique environment and prevent the infrastructural carrying capacity from being exceeded. This has pushed up the prices of the few private properties that become available and, significantly for the majority of the islands' populations, it has also affected the rental sector where rates have likewise drastically increased.[102][103]
High housing costs pose significant problems for the local population, especially as local incomes (in Cornwall) are only 70% of the national average, whilst house prices are almost £5,000 higher than the national average. This in turn affects the retention of 'key workers' and the younger generation, which consequently affects the viability of schools and other essential community services.[86][103]
The limited access to housing provokes strong local politics. It is often assumed that tourism is to blame for this, attracting newcomers to the area who can afford to outbid locals for available housing. Many buildings are used for tourist accommodation which reduces the number available for local residents. Second homes are also thought to account for a significant proportion of the housing stock, leaving many buildings empty for much of the year.[104]
In December 2021, the Council bought a property to ease the housing crisis, which would be converted into 3 affordable homes.[105] The council also, in January 2022, declared a housing crisis, due to the housing crisis placing the islands in "real danger of putting essential services at risk, such as the hospital and school". The council also highlighted that 15 households would be homeless by March and would face having to move from the Islands.[106]
According to the 2001 UK census, 97% of the population of the islands arewhite British,[4] with nearly 93% of the inhabitants born in the islands, in mainland Cornwall or elsewhere in England.[108] FollowingEU enlargement in 2004, a number ofcentral Europeans moved to the island, joining theAustralians,New Zealanders andSouth Africans who traditionally made up most of the islands' overseas workers. In 2005, their numbers were estimated at nearly 100 out of a total population of just over 2,000.[109] The Isles have also been referred to as "the land that crime forgot", reflecting lower crime levels than national averages.[110]
One continuing legacy of the isles' past isgig racing, wherein fast rowing boats ("gigs") with crews of six (or in one case, seven) race between the main islands. Gig racing has been said to derive from the race to collectsalvage from shipwrecks on the rocks around Scilly, but the race was actually to deliver apilot onto incoming vessels, to guide them through the hazardous reefs and shallows. (The boats are correctly termed "pilot gigs"). TheWorld Pilot Gig Championships are held annually over the May Day bank holiday weekend. The event originally involved crews from the Islands and a few crews from mainland Cornwall, but in the intervening years the number of gigs attending has increased, with crews coming from all over the South-West and further afield.[111]
In December 2006,Sport England published a survey which revealed that residents of the Isles of Scilly were the most active in England in sports and other fitness activities. 32% of the population participate at least three times a week for 30 minutes or more.[113]
There is agolf club with a nine-hole course (each with two tees) situated on the island of St Mary's, nearPorthloo andTelegraph, which was founded in 1904.[114]
The Isles of Scilly were featured on the TV programmeSeven Natural Wonders as one of the wonders of South West England. Since 2007 the islands have featured in theBBC seriesAn Island Parish, following various real-life stories and featuring in particular the newly appointedChaplain to the Isles of Scilly. A 12-part series was filmed in 2007 and first broadcast onBBC2 in January 2008.[119] After Reverend David Easton left the islands in 2009, the series continued under the same name but focused elsewhere.[120]
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^Bowley, R. L. (2004).The Fortunate Islands (9th ed.). St Mary's, Isles of Scilly: Bowley Publications.ISBN0-900184-40-X.
^"Interpretation Act 1978: Schedule 1",legislation.gov.uk,The National Archives, 1978 c. 30 (sch. 1), retrieved16 February 2024,"England" means, subject to any alteration of boundaries under Part IV of the Local Government Act 1972, the area consisting of the counties established by section 1 of that Act, Greater London and the Isles of Scilly. [1st April 1974].
^Gibson, F,My Scillionian Home... its past, its present, its future, St Ives, 1980
^abcdIsles of Scilly Integrated Area Plan 2001–2004, Isles of Scilly Partnership 2001
^Neate, S,The role of tourism in sustaining farm structures and communities on the Isles of Scilly in M Bouquet and M Winter (eds)Who From Their Labours Rest? Conflict and practice in rural tourism Aldershot, 1987
^abIsles of Scilly Local Plan: A 2020 Vision, Council of the Isles of Scilly, 2004
^Isles of Scilly 2004, imagine..., Isles of Scilly Tourist Board, 2004
^"Isles of Scilly". Duchy of Cornwall. Retrieved8 June 2017.In particular, The Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust, which manages around 60 per cent of the area of the Isles, including the uninhabited islands, plays an important role in protecting wildlife and their habitats. The Trust pays a rent to the Duchy of one daffodil per year!
^Martin D, 'Heaven and Hell', inInside Housing, 31 October 2004
^Sub Regional Housing Markets in the South West, South West Housing Board, 2004
^abS. Fleming et al.,"In from the cold" A report on Cornwall’s Affordable Housing Crisis, Liberal Democrats, Penzance, 2003
^The Cornishman, "Islanders in dispute with Duchy over housing policy", 19 August 2004
Woodley, George (1822).A View of the Present State of the Scilly Islands: exhibiting their vast importance to the British empire, the improvements of which they are susceptible, and a particular account of the means lately adopted for the amelioration of the condition of the inhabitants, by the establishment and extension of their fisheries. London: Rivington.
A Study of the Historic Coastal and Marine Environment of the Isles of Scilly. Cornwall Archaeological Unit, Cornwall Council, ed. by D. Charman et al. (Truro: Cornwall Archaeological Unit, Cornwall Council, 2015)
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