THE BEAUTIFUL ISLES OF SCILLY....MAY 2023

ABOVE:  EARLY MORNING AT PENZANCE AND MOUNT'S BAY WITH ST MICHAEL'S MOUNT IN THE

DISTANCE WHILE THE SCILLONION FERRY PREPARES FOR ANOTHER DAYTRIP.

A trip to The Isles of Scilly is always a highlight of every holiday to West Cornwall.

And I was pleased to visit there earlier this year in May during some excellent U.K

weather.

Although Scilly consists of hundreds of little outcrops and rocky Islands, it's mainly known

for it's five main Islands. St Mary's being the main Island followed by Tresco, St Martin's,

Bryher and St Agnes.

One other very visible Island is the twin peaks of Samson, an uninhabited Island which you

can visit on one of the Outer Island boats. And after a short stay the boatman will come and

collect you and take you back to St Mary's, the main Island.

The Islands are roughly 28 miles from the U.K mainland and it takes over 2 hours to get there

via the Scillonian Ferry which sets off each morning from Penzance Harbour.

And yet no matter how many times you make the journey there's always a sense of excitement.

You know you're visiting somewhere special. And being that I'm so familiar with the main Island

St Mary's, my goal once I get there is to jump into an Outer Island boat and head for one of

the other Islands like St Martin's or a particular favourite Tresco Island.

And so below are some pictures of my visit on that bright sunny May day earlier this Summer.

VISIT THE ISLES OF SCILLY 

Above: Arriving early that morning in Penzance and boarding The Scillonian for the day trip.

Below: Passing the Cornish Coastline before heading out into open waters.

Above:  A short video of The Scillonion leaving Mount's Bay.

Below:  Passing the Tater-du Lighthouse on the Penwith Coast not far from Land's End.

Below:  Finally arriving at The Islands and passing the twin peaks of Samson Island.

And below that is a rather large German Passenger ship bringing tourists to the Islands.

 

Below: Scillonion Boathands preparing to dock the boat as it approaches St Mary's Harbour.

Below: As soon as I got off the Scillonion Ferry I headed straight to one of the Outer

Island boats and was whisked off to Tresco Island. And below that is a brief video of approaching Tresco.

Above and Below:  The beautiful waters around Carn Near landing point on Tresco.

Below:  Arriving at Appletree Bay Beach. And it seemed that I had the whole place to myself.

It almost felt like a Robinson Crusoe moment.

 

Above: Looking across New Grimbsby Bay towards Cromwell's Castle. Sadly I didn't

have time to walk around The Bay and explore the Castle as I didn't want to miss the boat back to

the main Island.

But that stone building does look like some abandoned Sardinian fortress and I did manage to

explore it on a previous visit.

Exploring the beautiful tropical Tresco Abbey Gardens on Tresco, home to many wonderful

plants not seen on the British mainland.

Above:  Making my way back towards the Landing jetty at Carn Near to take me back to

the Scillonion Ferry on St Mary's.

Below: Approaching The Scillonion III Ferry as it prepares to return home to the mainland.

Apparently this trusted old vessel is to be replaced in 2026 with a brand new Boat after sufficient

funds were raised.

Below: Leaving The Isles of Scilly.