Why is Scilly exceptional?
Rare Wildlife and Unspoilt Habitats
- Scilly has 26 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs). These nationally important habitats cover about 35% of Scilly, whereas they typically represent only 7% of the English landscape.
- Scilly's seabirds and their habitats are of global and European importance
- The entire coastline of Scilly is defined as a Heritage Coast
- The seas around Scilly are a Marine Special Area of Conservation
- Scilly is an important staging post for migrating birds and is often the first landfall for rare species blown off course
- Rare arable plants survive in the Islands' small bulb-strips
Nationally Important Heritage
- Scilly's 238 Scheduled Ancient Monuments represent the highest concentration of protected archaeological sites in the UK
- Some landscapes, such as the whole island of Samson and Shipman Head Down on Bryher, are protected in their entirety in order to conserve complex historic landscapes
- Scilly has 130 Listed Buildings of which 10% are Grades I or II* (the national average is 6%)
- Scilly is a Conservation Area in recognition of the Islands' important historic built landscape
Clean Air, Clear Skies and Tranquillity
- Scilly enjoys exceptional air quality due to lack of dust and industrial pollution
- The quality of light enhances colour - an attraction to artists - and allows many varieties of lichen to thrive
- Lack of light pollution means that exceptional views of the sky can be seen, including clear, starry night skies
- Scilly is peaceful and tranquil. The sounds and rhythms of sea, wind and birds are the soundtrack to life in Scilly
© 2008 Simply Scilly
