isles of scilly: strategy in action
TRANSCRIPT
Acting locally to brand globally
Defining the Scilly brand
Evolving the Scilly image
Engaging audiences
PR
All new brochure
All new website
Acting locally to brand globally
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyzTen things we love about islands
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyzTen things we love about islandsGotham Regular
Didot
www.visitislesofscilly.com or call us 01720 424031
Scilly is used to migrants, or visitors, or invaders, or blow-ins, call us what you will. For explorers and sailors and birds and tourists this has been over
the centuries a place of refuge, a welcome safe haven. Sometimes one of these blow-ins stays a and becomes in time a Scillonian, finds a home here.
Then there are others who blow in from time to time throughout their lives and become almost Scillonian. Certainly they feel a sense of belonging.
My wife Clare is one of those. She first came here when she was 2 in 1944, faced down the U boats to get here. Back she came every year for a while.
Pentle Bay was her playground, where she first saw oystercatchers and heard their piping. Back she came with her children and her husband (who
it has to be said did not want to come, how could I get my café au lait and croissants on this scattering of islands in the Atlantic?) Back we come with
grandchildren and friends, time and again. She reads avidly while she’s here, I scribble my stories, one or two of them set here. We walk, we talk.
Every footpath on Bryher we know. We know where the best blackberries are, where the oystercatchers gather before dusk. We’re on Rushy Bay in wind or sum and look out to Samson and think of how it was to live there all those years ago, to row out there in a gig in the teeth of a gale to rescue people (and cows) from a wreck. We stomp over to Hell Bay to get blown
and buffeted about. We have tea at Fraggle Rock, buy a crab for supper from Mr and Mrs Pender, and then as the evening sun goes down (or the
evening wind blows) sit on a rock on Green Bay and are content.
FOREWORD
MICHAEL MORPURGO
04 The sheer romance of arriving
Where in the UK can you arrive on holiday on a scheduled flight in what appears to be your own private aircraft? With a personal pilot that doubles as your cabin attendant and blue-sky tourist guide? even the most seasoned travellers will feel their pulse quicken as they approach the island archipelago as it rises gently from the sea just 15 minutes from Lands end.
01 shining beacons and shipWrecKs
one ship’s peril is a wreck diver’s dream. so might say diving enthusiasts who venture to the isles of scilly year after year to dive amongst our rich maritime history as well as abundant marine life. did you know there are more shipwrecks around the isles of scilly than anywhere else in the world? dangerous rocks, and our wild winter weather - hell bay really does exist! - have both contributed to a perilous part in scilly’s history. To this day, the bishops rock and penninis head light houses, as well as striking day marks and highly-skilled local “pilots” keep passing vessels on the right course, and salute sailors as they come and go through the scilly’s “roads”.
05 WiLd for The WiLdLife
The isles of scilly are home to a rich tapestry of wildlife – and not just the incredible variety of rare birds and our own scilly bees, although these in themselves, together with our very own “scilly shrew”, do fully justify the existence of our resident ornithologists and naturalist experts and their hugely popular nature walks.
TEN REasoNs Why we love Scilly
Everyone who visits the Isles of Scilly falls in love. You might not be able to put your finger on it right away, or it may be a mixture of emotions. But either way, we know that when you arrive, you will have the time of your life and then, when it’s time to bid your farewell, you’ll leave yearning for more.
02 Life on The WaTer
There’s no better way to experience scilly than island hopping by boat. You’ll soon discover that each of the inhabited islands has a unique charm and character all its own, and many an hour will be spent debating with family and friends about your favourite one. Tripper boats run daily between all five inhabited islands as well as the larger uninhabited isles like samson and annet.
03 deserTed beaches To caLL YoUr oWn
There’s a reason why the isles of scilly are often compared with the caribbean; much of it is down to the breath-taking white sandy beaches, and the equally breath-taking aqua-blue, sparkling seas. but we believe we’ve got one up on the caribbean, and that’s the peace and tranquillity that we also offer. so if you’re after an empty beach or a truly deserted island of your own, you really have come to the right place!
www.visitislesofscilly.com or call us 01720 4240316
ISLAND GUIDE
ST MARY’S TRESCO
ST MARTIN’S BRYHER
ST AGNES
16 www.visitislesofscilly.com or call us 01720 424031
ISLAND ESSENTIALS
The Turks Head
The most south westerly pub in Britain in a magnificent location. Take a boat trip over for an evening drink. Open throughout the season serving delicious food, CAMRA ales, whiskies and rums.
01720 422434 [email protected]
Troytown Farm & Dairy
Milk and cream from Troytown’s tiny herd makes our delicious ice cream and dairy produce. Visit our little farm shop and try some. Farm reared pork & beef also available. We deliver anywhere in Scilly.
01720 423713 www.troytown.co.uk
Coastguards Cafe
Situated above Santa Warna cove behind Coastguards cottages with one of the most wild and untamed views over the Western Rocks, Bishop Rock Lighthouse and the endless Atlantic ocean.
01720 423747 [email protected]
St Agnes is a craggy rock of
working farms, creative flair and
a proud, proactive community
intent on maintaining its
reputation for romance and
resourcefulness.
The island also boasts one of the best views from a pub garden anywhere in the UK, with campsite views not far behind! Together with neighbouring Gugh, separated by a sandbar only at high tide, St Agnes is Britain’s most south-westerly community. When all the other islands were connected as a single land mass, a deep channel separated St Agnes from St Mary’s. This feeling of independence remains even today.
You’ll notice straight away the island’s most notable landmark - the lighthouse, which was built in 1680 by Trinity House with copper lamps and 21 revolving reflectors. Today it is a private house and simply serves as a daymark for shipping.
On your trails, you’ll soon come across Beady Pool and the cricket pitch where legends tell of shipwreck victims buried under the chamomile lawns. We also recommend you sneak a peek at the tiny church’s striking, newly-commissioned stained glass window, before heading off in search of the circular maze of rounded beach stones on the west side of Castella Down, rumoured to have built by a lighthouse keeper centuries ago. Periglis meanwhile, is a shell collector’s paradise with views across to Annet, the Western Rocks and Bishop Rock Lighthouse. Check out the sculptured rocks and cairns that dot Wingletang Down, and then head for Gugh to find the Old Man – a standing stone 9ft tall, believed to be associated with Bronze Age rituals.
And don’t even think about leaving before you’ve sampled the delicious ice-creams from Scilly’s only dairy farm! Added to that, the pub, restaurants, cafes and campsite, farm stalls and impressively-stocked grocery store all add up to make St Agnes a fabulous destination full of delights.
ST AGNES
DeTeRMineDLY DiFFeRenT, RUGGeDLY BeAUTiFUL, UnMiSTAKABLY ST AGneS
28 www.visitislesofscilly.com or call us 01720 424031
Carolyn Mendelson is a film maker, photographer, writer and mother of three. She visits the Isles of Scilly every easter for
a week, and has shared her feelings with us.
PERFECT DAYS Feeling free
I remember my first visit; my youngest child Poppy was 10 weeks old, I had over packed,
and was over prepared (a hang-up from my short stay in the Brownies) Our intention
was to visit once, to explore a part of the country we had never seen. But the magic of
these special Islands entered our lives, and the white sandy beaches, the unique qualities
of the off Islands, the quality of light, keep our interest and hold us in their thrall. I don’t
think I have been anywhere where I have felt so free.
Eight years on and the children are still excited to visit, and sad to leave. According to
the youngest, the Easter Bunny is from the islands and there is magic in the sand. As we
walk through the lanes, we come across little stalls filled with freshly grown vegetables,
eggs, fudge, fish, flowers, and crafts. Really, what is not to love! Early every morning the
children get up and run to the nearest stall to buy eggs and freshly picked vegetables.
There is always an honesty box to place the money in, and somewhere to return the egg
boxes for recycling. A simple but wonderful thing.
5444 www.visitislesofscilly.com or call us 01720 424031
Acting locally to brand globally
Pre-visit
Testimonials
Getting here
Explore Plan
External sites
BookThings to see
Things to do
The islands
Getting around
Places to stay
Acting locally to brand globally
During visit
During (travel & visit)
Travel support
Welcome pack GPS recs