walk scilly weekend september 2014

Programme and useful information

For more information about

Walk Scilly or to book your

tickets please refer to www.

visitislesofscilly.com or call

the Walk Scilly Team on 01720

424036. Alternatively, email

enquiries@islandspartnership.

co.uk. We’d love to hear from you!

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Walk Scilly 2014 was so popular this

year that we’ve decided to do it again –

only this time in the autumn and over

a weekend.

For many, autumn is the very best time

for walking in Scilly, the intense light of

summer is now more gentle, bathing

the landscape in a soft glow whilst

the annual pilgrimage of migratory

birds are just beginning to make an

appearance.

But don’t take our word for it, Walk

Scilly is an invitation to make the most

of the best that Scilly has to offer

before autumn turns to winter. Come,

join us and Walk Scilly.

The Walk Scilly weekend starts on

Friday 19th September and runs

through to Sunday 21st. Taking in seven

islands in three days, there has never

been a better opportunity to explore

the islands with some of the most

popular of our Walk Scilly Guides. The

itinerary includes new walks, exciting

routes and old favourites.

There will be an opportunity to make

the most of evening walks, to enjoy fine

music and to sample the best of what

the islands’ food and drink industry has

to offer.

The Tourist Information Centre (TIC)

at Porthcressa, St Mary’s is a great

place to find out more about the Walk

Scilly Weekend. Between 19th and 21st

September there will be dedicated

Walk Scilly assistants available at all

times able to answer any queries. The

TIC will be open 9.00am to 5.00pm,

Friday, Saturday and Sunday. You can

contact the TIC on 01720 424031.

What are you waiting for? Get your

walking boots on and check out the

list of exciting walking adventures that

feature in the very first Walk Scilly

Weekend.

WELCOME TO THE VERY FIRST WALK SCILLY WEEKENDTIME TO GET YOUR BOOTS ON!

FOREWORDWHY SCILLY IS SUCH A PARADISE FOR WALKERS MARK SUTCLIFFEEDITOR OF COUNTRY WALKING MAGAZINE

The Isles of Scilly aren’t the easiest

place to reach - you can’t bring your

car and you have to go everywhere

by boat or on foot… which is precisely

what makes them such a paradise for

walkers.

Park the car in Penzance, secure the

keys in the deepest pocket on your

rucksack and forget about traffic jams

for a week. Taking a leisurely cruise on

the Scillonian III is the perfect prelude

to an island adventure - creating a

welcome buffer between the hustle and

bustle of the mainland and the more

relaxed rhythms of island life.

And it’s the extra effort that’s required

to get here that makes this enchanting

archipelago just that little bit more

exclusive: the people you’ll bump into

on the islands really want to be on the

islands.

So what’s so special about trekking

over an assortment of rocks that never

rise higher than 50 metres above sea

level? Well, in common with all low-

lying areas, even the most modest

prominence quickly elicits pretty epic

views and on the Isles of Scilly, that

means a breath-taking combination of

wide-open skies, shimmering turquoise

sea, brilliant white sand and rugged

landscapes topped with gnarly tors and

steeped in ancient history.

These islands were at the hub of an

almost forgotten civilization stretching

across the Western Atlantic from the

Hebrides in the north to Galicia in the

south. The Isles of Scilly became a kind

of Neolithic service station at the heart

of this vast diaspora, offering a safe

haven for vessels plying their trade

across the Atlantic more than 1,000

years before Christopher Columbus set

sail.

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Over the centuries, the Phoenicians,

Greeks, Romans and, inevitably, the

Vikings stopped off on Scilly and

when Britannia ruled the waves, many

thousands of mariners lost their lives

attempting to negotiate their perilous

shoals.

Wandering across the wilderness of

St Agnes or over the cliffs of Tresco

and Bryher, this rich history is never far

beneath the surface.

Explore these sceptred isles on

foot and the echoes of all who have

traversed this drowned landscape can

be heard in the wind whispering around

the tors and in the waves that crash

onto its pristine beaches.

But be warned, the primal attraction

that has drawn people here for

millennia is impossible to resist and

once under its influence, few can resist

the urge the return. Time and time

again.

Find out more about

Country Walking –

Britain’s best-selling

walking magazine, at:

www.lfto.com

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FRIDAY 19TH SEPTEMBER

Snorkelling with Seals, The Eastern Islands

Why not try something really special

- snorkelling with seals with the award

winning St Martin’s Dive School. After

changing into wetsuits on St Martin’s

you will set off for the Eastern Islands

to get up close and personal with

the UK’s largest mammal, something

to remember forever! No previous

experience is necessary and all

equipment is provided. There will be

a hot drink and a snack for you at

the end of the session. Please bring

warm clothes to change into. Upon

completion of your session you will be

returned to St Martin’s where you can

either explore for the day or return to

St Mary’s. Please enquire at the TIC

about return boat times.

Grade: 3 | Max people: 10

Guide: Anna Cawthray

Start: 8.45am | Finish: 11.45am ‘ish

Meet: St Mary’s Quay

Cost: £32

Seashore Safari, St Mary’s

Join Jaclyn Pearson on a safari of the

seashore. Find out how the marine

environment supports the amazing

wildlife we find on Scilly. As part of

the walk you will explore the sandy

and rocky shore of Porthloo beach to

discover the secrets that are exposed

at low tide and learn why species such

as the Manx Shearwater will migrate

thousands of miles from South America

each year to feed in our precious

waters. We will be delving into rock

pools, carefully looking at starfish,

gobies, and other amazing creatures

beneath seaweed and under rocks.

Please wear sensible footwear for rock

pooling (no bare feet).


Guide: Jaclyn Pearson

Start: 9.45am | Finish: 12.15pm

Meet: Meet at Porthloo beach (look

for Jaclyn’s bright orange hat - you

can’t miss it!)

Cost: £7.50

Anna CawthrayJaclyn Pearson

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Autumnal Forage with a Scilly Twist, St Mary’s

While elsewhere foragers will be collecting mushrooms, berries and nuts, here on Scilly the unique coastal environment brings an exciting range of flavours from seeds, herbs, fruits and leafy greens. Discover how to identify these wild foods and how to bring out their aromas on this foodie and nature amble. Laden with bounty, walkers will then be invited into the Tanglewood Kitchen at the Post Office to watch local chef Euan Rodger create a dish fit for a king based upon the afternoons findings. Tasters available! Dogs welcome on leads. Rachel Lambert has been teaching about wild food and guiding walks in Cornwall and Isles of Scilly for 7 years.


Guide: Rachel Lambert

Start: 1.30pm | Finish: 4.00pm ’ish

Meet: Tourist Information Centre, St Mary’s

Cost: £10

St Martin’s Top to Toe

Join local fisherman and farmer Keith Low as he shows you around his island home. A true son of St Martin’s Keith knows the island as few others do. This all day walk will literally take in all of St Martin’s - top to toe, covering local history, and a wealth of islands stories founded in over six decades of life on St Martin’s. Depending on weather and tide this walk will take in White Island as well. It will also include a stop off at the St Martin’s Vineyard for a tour of the vines and an opportunity to sample some of the fine wines grown by Val and Graham Thomas. Your guide will meet you at Higher Town Quay, St Martin’s. Dogs welcome on leads.


Guide: Keith Low

Start: The boat leaves St Mary’s at 10.15am for a 10.45am start at Higher Town, St Martin’s | Finish: 4.30pm ‘ish

Meet: Higher Town Quay, St Martin’s

Cost: £17

Rachel LambertKeith Low

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Wildlife Safari The Western Rocks

Fancy something different? Why not

try a Wildlife Safari with St Mary’s

Boating Association? Join the Sapphire

and Skipper Jo Pender to search for

marine animals and birdlife amongst

the Western Rocks. Enjoy some of

the most remote scenery that Scilly

has to offer whilst keeping an eye out

for dolphins, seals, and all manner of

birdlife. The Sapphire will depart St

Mary’s at 2.00pm and St Agnes at

2.15pm for a 1.5 hour trip. Tickets can

be purchased on the boat or at the TIC.


Guide: Jo Pender

Start: The Sapphire leaves St Mary’s

at 2.00pm and leaves St Agnes at

2.15pm | Finish: 3.30pm ‘ish

Meet: St Mary’s Quay/St Agnes Quay

Cost: £13 adults, £6.50 children

FRIDAY EVENING

Duo Prospero

Immerse yourself in an hour of

outstanding musical entertainment in

the form of Duo Prospero. The islands’

very own violin and woodwind duo will

entertain you with music from Bach to

Mozart; via Lemzer, folk and jazz. An

experience not to be missed! There

is no charge to attend this session,

however donations will be welcomed.

The session will begin at 8.15pm, simply

bring along an appreciation for fine

music and prepare to be entertained

(venue to be confirmed).

The Sapphire

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Bryher ‘Top to Toe’

Join local artist, fireman, water

technician, island waste manager, gig

coxswain and all round islander to

celebrate the colour and contrast of his

Bryher home with a route taking you to

see everything! 5 hours including lunch

stop at Hell Bay Hotel. Dogs welcome

on leads.


Guide: Chris Potterton

Start: 10.15am boat from St Mary’s for

a 10.30am start on Bryher

| Finish: 4.30pm

Meet: Bar (Anneka’s Quay) Bryher

Cost: £12.50

SATURDAY 20TH SEPTEMBER

Wild St Mary’s

Join one of the Isles of Scilly Wildlife

Trust’s most experienced rangers in an

exploration of ‘Wild Scilly’. The walk

will be a wildlife wander along the

beautiful St Mary’s coast looking at the

creatures and plants you encounter

along the way. Fun for all the family!

The walk will include a range of on

route activities for children and those

young at heart.


Guide: Darren Hart

Start: 10.00am | Finish: 12.30pm at

Old Town Cafe

Meet: Holgates Green

Cost: £7.50

Darren Hart Chris Potterton

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History of Samson

Katharine Sawyer has been leading

walks on Scilly since 2000 and has an

MA in Archaeology and Anthropology

as well as having recently received a

PhD for her work on the Bronze Age

Burial Chambers of Scilly. This walk,

an exploration of the prehistoric and

post-mediaeval sites on both the South

and North Hills of Samson, was chosen

as one of the National Trust’s Top 10

Great British Walks in 2013. Kicking off

with a beach landing, this walk offers

an opportunity to sample the very best

of walking in Scilly. Bring something

to drink and a snack. There are no

facilities on Samson.


Guide: Katharine Sawyer

Start: The boat leaves St Mary’s at

2.00pm for a 2.15pm start time on

Samson | Finish: 4.30pm ’ish

Meet: St Mary’s Quay or the landing

beach on Samson

Cost: £7.50

Holy Vale Winery Experience, St Mary’s

Come and experience St Mary’s newest

visitor attraction, the Holy Vale Winery,

with local hotelier and budding wine

enthusiast Robert Francis - his labour

of love for the part 6 years. Enjoy a

personal tour of the winery and learn

more about the challenges of growing

vines on an isolated island at the mercy

of the weather. Enjoy tasting up to 5

different fine wines with a selection

of tapas, plus a glass of your favourite

tipple! You are promised a memorable

evening in one of the most tranquil

spots on St Mary’s.


Guide: Robert Francis

Start: 6.00pm | Finish: 7.30 pm ‘ish

Meet: Holy Vale Winery

Cost: £18.50

Katharine Sawyer Robert Francis

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George Teideman

SUNDAY 21ST SEPTEMBER

Scilly at Sunrise

Watching the sunrise over the

Eastern Islands is one of the most

memorable sights in Scilly. Join long

standing guide George Teideman

on an early morning sunrise walk

that will take in the best of St Mary’s

during the quietest part of the day,

before stopping to enjoy the sun rise

on another Scilly day. Bring a picnic

breakfast and a flask of your favourite

early morning tipple!


Guide: George Teideman

Start: 6.30am | Finish: 9.00am

Meet: Holgates Green

Cost: £7.50

SATURDAY EVENING

The Isles of Scilly Folk Club

The Isles of Scilly Folk Club will be

performing at Old Town Inn, St Mary’s

from 8.00pm. Everyone is welcome

to attend and to take part! Watch local

musicians take to the stage and enjoy

a night of vibrant and memorable folk

music, Scilly style.

Free entry, but donations welcomed.

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A Mediterranean Stroll - Tresco

A great opportunity to visit the world

famous Abbey Garden with over 18

acres of exotic plants and trees from

Africa, Asia and Oceania that grow on

Scilly thanks to the favourable climate.

Dogs welcome on leads.

For those of you on Tresco ‘The

Barnacles’ will be at the New Inn from

1.00pm playing their rousing blend of

traditional dance music from around

the world. Everyone welcome!

Grade: 2 | Max people: no limit

Guide: Andrew Lawson (Head

Gardener) supported by Tresco

Abbey Gardeners


10.00am. The walk will commence at

the Abbey Garden Entrance at 10.45am

| Finish: 12.45pm. Boats will be

returning to St Mary’s in the early and

late afternoon

Meet: Tresco Abbey Garden entrance

Cost: £10

Andrew Lawson

St Agnes & Gugh ‘Top to Toe’

A fantastic walk around the coast

of Gugh with views to the Garrison,

Samson and the Norrard Rocks,

followed by a walk round St Agnes

and the chance to look out towards

the Western Rocks and the Bishop

Rock lighthouse. This walk will stop for

lunch at the Turk’s Head and just may

well pop in at Troy Town Farm for a

homemade ice cream too.


Guide: Chas Wood

Start: The boat leaves St Mary’s for St

Agnes at 10.15am. The Walk will start

10.45am | Finish: The return boat will

be approximately 4.30pm

Meet: The Turk’s Head at 10.45am

Cost: £12.50

Chas Wood

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History of St Helen’s; St Helen’s

Katharine Sawyer has an MA in

Archaeology and Anthropology as

well as having recently received a PhD

for her work on the Bronze Age Burial

Chambers of Scilly. This walk offers

a unique opportunity to visit the two

main archaeological sites on St Helen’s,

the early mediaeval hermitage and the

18th century ‘Pest House’ or quarantine

establishment, followed by a walk

around this uninhabited island, with

great views from the hill-top. The trip

starts with a landing on the rocky coast

so good footwear is essential. Bring

something to drink and a snack. There

are no facilities on St Helen’s.


Guide: Katharine Sawyer


2.00pm for a 2.20pm start time on St

Helen’s | Finish: 4.30pm ‘ish

Meet: St Mary’s Quay or the landing

beach at St Helen’s

Cost: £7.50

Katharine Sawyer

Booking

1. Choose your walks and/or activities.

– Call the Walk Scilly team on 01720 424036 and make your booking over the phone.

– Or during the Walk Scilly weekend simply pop into the TIC at Porthcressa, St Mary’s and book your walk in person.

2. There are 3 ways to pay:

– Debit or credit card over the phone, 01720 424036.

– Cash, cheque or credit/debit card in the TIC during the course of the Walk Scilly weekend.

– Cheque, payable to ‘Islands Tourism and Business Partnership’ .

3. Choose to pick up your tickets at the TIC on arrival or request that they are sent to you.

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WALK GRADES

1 • Easy - easy stroll on road and path,

level walk, no hills.

2 • Moderate - fairly easy walk on road

and path, some incline.

3 • Hard – fairly strenuous, several

inclines/hills on path and road.

All guided walks are weather

dependent. Please check with the Walk

Scilly team on 01720 424031 before

setting out if unsure, or follow

@ScillyTIC for up to date information on

a daily basis. Every effort is undertaken

to ensure that the guide mentioned

will undertake each walk. If this is not

possible a replacement guide will be

sought. Walk Scilly 2014 organisers

cannot be held responsible for

cancellation/alteration of any walk due

to unforeseen circumstances.

Finish times are approximate.

Guides

All of our Walk Scilly guides will be easily

identifiable by either their Walk Scilly

Hat or High Vis jackets.

Equipment

Obviously most walks are best made in

sturdy footwear and boots and dare we

say it take a look at the weather forecast

or at the sky before setting out. A light

waterproof may be advisable some days

as the weather can change quickly.

Cameras – ideal!

Virtually every walk has its spectacular

moments and you’ll be kicking yourself

if you miss some great shots.

Children

Children are welcome on all of the

walks. Preschool children go free on

all standard walks. School age children

will be charged at the standard rate.

Boating

Please check the times of walks when

booking. Return boat times will be

given out on the boat – if in doubt ask

your guide. Please note walks do not

include boat fares. During Walk Scilly

Weekend discounted boat tickets can

be purchased at the Tourist Information

Centre at Porthcressa, St Mary’s or in

advance by calling 01720 424036.

Other Stuff

Some walks are jam packed with

information so a little notebook may

make sense as will a sketchbook on

some. And of course water or coffee or

tea or a beer, gin and tonic or crème de

menthe frappe – whatever takes your

fancy as you tick off the yards.

Dogs

Many walks are suitable for

accompaniment by our four legged

friends but on others that could prove

tricky; those where we would have no

problem having them along indicate

this. If you are not sure just ask.

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS TO MAKE THE BEST OF YOUR WALKS

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The Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust welcomes Walk Scilly

There is a wealth of wildlife just waiting

to be discovered on Isles of Scilly

Wildlife Trust land and a network of

footpaths and tracks to explore.

Did you know?

– The Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust cares

for 60% of Scilly – that is one big

nature reserve.

– We have some very rare inhabitants

such as Scilly shrews, the Scilly Bee,

nesting Storm Petrels, the Dwarf Pansy,

Orange Birdsfoot and a marine species

known as the Orange Peel Bryozoan.

– You can also discover remains left

by Scilly’s prehistoric inhabitants with

ancient settlements, field boundary

walls and burial chambers and more

recent remains like kelp pits and gig

sheds. Scilly’s military history also has a

strong presence in the landscape.

– Please support our work by

volunteering, becoming a member and

giving a donation.

– You can find out more about the Isles

of Scilly Wildlife Trust at

www.ios-wildlifetrust.org.uk

Supporters

Walk Scilly 2014 has been organised

by the Islands’ Tourism & Business

Partnership and supported by The

Council of the Isles of Scilly and the

Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust.

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FURTHER INFORMATION

T 01720 424036 - Walk Scilly Team

T 01720 424031 - Tourist Information

W visitislesofscilly.com

@ScillyTIC @visitIOS

visitislesofscilly

walk scilly weekend september 2014

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