The Scilly Islands are part of Cornwall. The name ‘Scilly’ is thought to come from the Vikings who called the islands ‘Syllorgar’ and the Romans ‘Sully’ (meaning the sun islands). The ‘c’ was added to the name some time in the 16th Century.
The first settlers arrived from the Cornish mainland over 4000 years ago, constructing settlements, burial chambers and monuments many of which are still visible today. Atmospheric sites, such as Bant’s Carn and Halangy Down Bronze Age village on St Mary’s and Chapel Down on St Martin’s, should be included on any itinerary.
Note: The use of the name The Scilly Isles is deprecated by the locals, who prefer Scillonia.
The Isles of Scilly form an archipelago of five inhabited islands and numerous other small rocky islets (around 140 in total) lying 28 miles (45 km) off Land's End. Part of Cornwall,
the ISLES OF SCILLY are the most southwesterly point of the British Islands. The five inhabited islands and their population in the 2001 census are St Mary's (1,666), Tresco (180), St Martin's (142), St Agnes and Bryher (population 165 between them); the total population was 2,153. There are many smaller uninhabited islands and rocky islets.
The last two hundred years of history is associated with the Duchy of Cornwall, who once again took up the lease of the islands in 1831. The man who ran the lease and whose name became synonymous with Scillonian history, was Augustus Smith. For nearly forty years, he governed the islands and did much for them. He lived on Tresco, building Tresco Abbey and the subsequent Abbey Garden as well as developing schools on Scilly, years before mainland Britain. The Smiths and Dorrien Smiths have subsequently leased the island of Tresco off the Duchy.
Traces of the kelp and ship building industries can be seen dotted around the islands, as well as smuggler's caves, lighthouses and lookouts. Flower farming, which took off towards the end of the 19th Century, is the second largest industry on Scilly, behind tourism. The landscape is characterised by picturesque box fields, which are a blaze of colour prior to harvesting. The frost-free climate allows the Narcissi flower to be cultivated much earlier than is possible by mainland growers.
Now, tourism is the mainstay of the economy. Scilly is a vibrant, colourful destination, preserved for the enjoyment of generations.
Health – there is a fully equipped cottage hospital and dental surgery on St Mary's, as well as a medical launch between the islands. There is also a health centre with doctor’s surgery, dispensary and conference room.
Money – there are no banks on the off-islands. There are two on St Mary's; Lloyds and Barclays. There is a cashpoint outside Lloyds Bank. Several places on St Mary’s operate a cashback facility including; the Co-operative Store, the chemist and the public houses.
Further extensive information can be obrained from the Scilly Islands extensive Tourist Board Web Site
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