Arts and Culture ... from the Official Tourism Website

The Isles of Scilly have developed a character all of their own, with our own history, heritage, and traditions... scratch the surface and you will discover a proud heritage and traditional culture.

The Isles of Scilly are a wonderful and uniquely beautiful holiday destination, home and workplace to some 2,000 people. Scilly has bred vigorous, successful people throughout history from sea-going pilots to master mariners, flower growers to shipbuilders. Islanders are by definition resourceful and independent-minded people and Scillonians are no exception; therefore it will come as no surprise to find that over a third of the working population on Scilly is self-employed. Many work in the traditional industries of fishing and flower-farming, growing scented narcissi and daffodils. Farms here resemble the kind of smallholding that still flourished on mainland England at the end of the 19th century, with small fields and high hedges. Fishermen catch a range of gastronomic delights, including lobster, crab, turbot and monkfish; some is served locally but much is exported to the UK and to Europe. Tourism also now supports many local business people, with enterprises ranging from craft workshops to inter-island boating.

Jude Law has said of the Isles of Scilly 'it reminds me of all the good things, not only about England, but the world on which we live. My family never feel safer than there.'

ArtScilly 2011 (7th to the 14th May) -all-encompassing Arts Festival celebrating an insprational landscape.

Heritage

The Museum boasts a Colourful Culture treasure trove of Bronze Age finds, ship-wreck artefacts and island heritage, including a fully-rigged gig in the centre! The Heritage Centre contains an exhibition documenting life on the Islands in former times. Your host could well be another fascinating source of information and old Scillonian stories. read more here.

Pilot Gigs
The first Pilot Gig boats were built in the 17th century with the purpose of putting a pilot on board a sailing ship in order to navigate the vessel into safe waters. Pilotage in Scilly was for many years a primary source of income as the first man aboard got the job and, of course, the rewards that went with it, and thus gig racing began! Today, gig racing has grown to be such a popular pastime that women race on Wednesday evenings and men on Fridays throughout the summer months. Read more here

Farming
Flower farming continues to prosper across the Islands (albeit to a lesser extent than in the past) and our fields boast the earliest blooming narcissi in the UK. Farmers play a key role in maintaining the landscape and many have shops or honesty boxes, so you can take home your own horticultural piece of Scilly. Many local farmers are also turning their hand to alternative crops and produce: harvesting herbs to turn into essential oils; keeping free range chickens f; and cattle farming for the creation of dairy products such as the mouth-watering St Agnes ice cream.

Gardens
To many, the Isles of Scilly are one big garden, but the temperate climate has produced two outstanding examples - the world -famous Tresco Abbey Garden and the community garden Carreg Dhu on St. Mary's. Sub-tropical plants, however, may be seen all over the Islands in hedgerows, in sheltered areas on the downs or in many private gardens.

History & Archaeology
SEASCAPE You don't need to be a historian to appreciate Scilly's past, although there is plenty to keep you occupied if you are. There is an abundance of Bronze Age, Neolithic and historical sites on Scilly all of which add to the rich tapestry of the Islands. Historical guided walks, evening slide-shows and local books all bring the Islands' past to life.

Creative Pursuits
In this unique maritime setting, which provides stunning themes for photographers, painters, and craftsmen, it comes as no surprise that many locals make a living from creative industries. Artists paint in beach studios, landscape photographers capture the changing moods, beachcombers make jewellery from their finds and potters create distinctive mementoes to take home. If you have a creative flair yourself, why not try painting or sketching some of the most memorable views in the world, enrol in a winter bakery course, or take part in a felt or stained-glass making workshop? Read more here

Don't miss:
There is a lively, island-wide music scene, with a variety of bands playing anything from jazz and folk, to rhythm and blues and rock. Concerts and gigs provide a real showcase for the talented acts. Open-air operatic and theatrical events, musicals, plays, choral concerts and comedies; all play a big part on Scilly, with both local and touring companies staging productions throughout the season.

Favourites:
- Discover a rich and varied past by exploring the many and varied archaeological sites
- Be inspired to unleash your own creativity - take part in one of the many courses and workshops
- Enjoy some of the theatrical productions put on by local and visiting travelling theatre troupes