The Fortunate Isles

We weren’t the only ones. It was about nine-thirty in the morning and several mostly grey-haired couples were making their way down towards the quay. The day was bright and clear with a light breeze but we were dressed for a sudden turn in the weather wearing sensible shoes and anoraks. Some of us were festooned with binoculars and cameras. We were all on our way to one of the ‘off islands’ that together with St Mary’s make up the delightful group known as the Isles of Scilly. Scillonians do not like their home to be referred to as the Scilly Isles!


If time travel interests you this is the place for you. Time seems to have been held back here – it is perpetually about 1959 or thereabouts. We were last here four years ago so things may have speeded up a bit since then but it will be a shame if they have. The place is unspoiled and lacking in sophistication and the better for it. No Club Med or Stag and Hen parties to drown out the bird song.


Scilly consists of five inhabited islands, St Mary’s, Tresco, Bryer, St. Martin’s and St Agnes with many smaller islands and rocky islets. St Mary’s Boatman’s Association run daily boats to these islands. There are also excursions around the islands looking at birds and seals, or fishing trips.

To enjoy your holiday in the Scillies you have to really like the outdoor life. Boating, walking, bird watching, sketching and painting, that sort of thing. If it’s an exciting nightlife you want you have gone to the wrong place. There is evening entertainment, amateur drama, a concert, or a game of bridge but a popular event is the slide-show! These take place in a church-hall and include a variety of subjects; flora and fauna, the history of the Scillies and stories of shipwrecks but our favourite (now sadly no longer running) was given by a couple of teachers who interspersed their talk on events on the Islands by playing ancient hand-made instruments.














One of the unforgettable attractions of The Isles of Scilly is the Abbey Garden on Tresco. This is a subtropical paradise designed by Augustus Smith . He planted trees to form tall wind-breaks to channel the weather up and over the network of walled enclosures around the Priory ruins, and he carved the three terraces from the rocky, south facing slope looking towards St Mary's. The garden boasts over 300 plants in flower during the winter months. There is an outdoor tearoom where wild birds come and take crumbs from your table – even from your hands if you are quiet and patient.
Within the garden is a small display of figure heads from shipwrecks.


The other inhabited islands each have their own attractions – from artists studios, small workshops, organic smallholdings and tearooms to award-winning hotels set in spectacular surroundings. They all have quiet sandy beaches and interesting walks. Forget the Spanish Costas and the Seychelles try The Fortunate Isles for your next holiday.