View source for Isles of Scilly

{{Short description|Group of islands off the south-westernmost point of mainland Britain}}
{{redirect|Scilly|the region of Italy|Sicily|the place in Surrey|Scilly Isles, Surrey|the atoll in the Society Islands, sometimes called "Scilly Atoll"|Manuae (Society Islands)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2023}}
{{Infobox islands
| name = Isles of Scilly 
| local_name = ''{{lang|kw|Syllan}}''
| image_name = [[File:Baner ynysek Syllan.svg|150px]]
| image_size = 
| image_caption = [[Scillonian Cross]] flag
| map_image= Isles of Scilly in Cornwall.svg
| map_size = 255px
| map_caption = {{longitem|The Isles of Scilly (red; bottom left corner) within [[Cornwall]] (red & beige)}}
| location = {{longitem|{{convert|45|km|nmi|abbr=on}} southwest of the [[South West Peninsula|Cornish peninsula]]}}
| coordinates = {{coord|49|55|N|6|20|W|region:GB_type:isle|display=inline,title}}<br>[[ISO 3166-2:GB|ISO Code]]: GB-IOS
| grid_reference = SV8912
| archipelago = [[British Isles]]
| waterbody = [[Celtic Sea]]<br/>[[Atlantic Ocean]]
| total_islands = {{nowrap|5 inhabited, 140 others}}
| major_islands = {{hlist|[[St Mary's, Isles of Scilly|St Mary's]] |[[Tresco, Isles of Scilly|Tresco]] |[[St Martin's, Isles of Scilly|St Martin's]] |[[Bryher, Isles of Scilly|Bryher]] |[[St Agnes, Isles of Scilly|St Agnes]]}}
| area_km2 = {{English district area|GSS=E06000053}}
| area_footnotes = &nbsp;{{smaller|([[List of English districts by area|{{English district area rank|GSS=E06000053}}]])}}
| highest_mount =[[Telegraph, Isles of Scilly|Telegraph]] | elevation_m =51
| country = [[United Kingdom]]
| country_admin_divisions_title = Status
| country_admin_divisions = ''[[Sui generis]]'' [[Unitary authority|unitary]]
| country_admin_divisions_title_1 = [[Countries of the United Kingdom|Country]]
| country_admin_divisions_1 = [[England]]
| country_admin_divisions_title_2 = [[Regions of England|Region]]
| country_admin_divisions_2 = [[South West England|South West]]
| country_admin_divisions_title_3 = [[Ceremonial counties of England|Ceremonial county]]
| country_admin_divisions_3 = [[Cornwall]]
| languages = [[English language|English]], [[Cornish language|Cornish]]
| country_capital_and_largest_city = [[Hugh Town]]
| country_largest_city_population = 948 ''2021 census.''
| country_leader_title = [[Local government in England#Councillors and mayors|Leadership]]
| country_leader_name = {{nowrap|Robert Francis}}<ref>{{Cite web|title=New appointments for Councillors 2019 &#124; Council of the ISLES OF SCILLY|url=https://scilly.gov.uk/news/new-appointments-councillors-2019|access-date=10 February 2023|website=scilly.gov.uk}}</ref>
| country1_leader_title = Executive
| country1_leader_name = Mark Boden (interim)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://scilly.gov.uk/news/mark-boden-appointed-interim-chief-executive|title=Mark Boden appointed Interim Chief Executive &#124; Council of the ISLES OF SCILLY|website=scilly.gov.uk}}</ref>
| country2_leader_title = [[List of MPs elected in the United Kingdom general election, 2024|MP]]
| country2_leader_name = [[Andrew George (politician)|Andrew George]]&nbsp;([[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Lib Dem]])
| population = {{English district population|GSS=E06000053}}
| population_as_of = {{English statistics year}}<big>{{dot}}</big> [[List of English districts by population|{{English district rank|GSS=E06000053}}]]<ref name="popstats">{{United Kingdom district population citation}}</ref>
| density_km2 = {{English district density|GSS=E06000053}}
| demonym = Scillonian
| ethnic_groups = 93.7% [[White British]]<br />3.7% [[Other White]]<br />1.1% [[Mixed (United Kingdom ethnicity category)|Mixed]]<br />0.3% [[British Asian|Asian]]<br />0.2% [[Black British|Black]]<br />0.9% Other groups<ref name="ONS1">{{cite web |title=Isles of Scilly ethnic groups |url=http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=7&b=276909&c=TR21+0LW&d=13&e=15&g=431427&i=1x1003x1004&m=0&r=0&s=1354783423692&enc=1&dsFamilyId=47 |publisher=Office for National Statistics |access-date=6 December 2012 |archive-date=28 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130728041324/http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=7&b=276909&c=TR21+0LW&d=13&e=15&g=431427&i=1x1003x1004&m=0&r=0&s=1354783423692&enc=1&dsFamilyId=47 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| module = {{Designation list
| embed = yes
| designation1 = Ramsar
| designation1_date = 13 August 2001
| designation1_number = 1095<ref>{{Cite web|title=Isles of Scilly|website=[[Ramsar Convention|Ramsar]] Sites Information Service|url=https://rsis.ramsar.org/ris/1095|access-date=25 April 2018}}</ref>}}
| website = {{URL|http://www.scilly.gov.uk/}}
}}

The '''Isles of Scilly''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|s|ɪ|l|i}} {{respell|SIL|ee}}; {{langx|kw|Syllan|label=[[Standard Written Form]]}}, ''{{lang|kw|Enesek Syllan}}'', or {{lang|kw|Enesow Syllan}})<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |editor-last=Harris |editor-first=Steve |date=2018 |title=enys |page=109 |dictionary=A Learner's Cornish Dictionary |publisher=Ors Sempel |isbn=978-0-9930764-3-5}}</ref> are a small [[archipelago]] off the southwestern tip of [[Cornwall]], [[England]], United Kingdom. One of the islands, [[St Agnes, Isles of Scilly|St Agnes]], is over {{convert|4|mi|km|0|abbr=off|spell=on}} further south than the most southerly point of the [[Great Britain|British mainland]] at [[Lizard Point, Cornwall|Lizard Point]].

The total population of the islands at the [[2021 United Kingdom census]] was 2,100 (rounded to the nearest 100).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Build a custom area profile - Census 2021, ONS |url=https://www.ons.gov.uk/visualisations/customprofiles/draw/ |access-date=2024-03-27 |website=www.ons.gov.uk |language=en}}</ref> Scilly forms part of the [[ceremonial counties of England|ceremonial county]] of [[Cornwall]], and some services are combined with those of Cornwall. However, since 1890, the islands have had [[Council of the Isles of Scilly|a separate local authority]]. Since the passing of the Isles of Scilly Order 1930, this authority has held the status of [[county council]], and today it is known as the [[Council of the Isles of Scilly]].

The adjective "Scillonian" is sometimes used for people or things related to the archipelago. The [[Duchy of Cornwall]] owns most of the [[freehold (law)|freehold land]] on the islands. [[Tourism]] is a major part of the local economy  along with agriculture, particularly the production of [[cut flowers]].

== Etymology ==
Historically, the Isles of Scilly were known in [[Latin]] as ''Insulae Sillinae'',<ref>{{Cite book|last=Holmes|first=T. Rice|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=liDDDwAAQBAJ&dq=insulae+Sillinae&pg=PT680|title=Ancient Britain and the Invasions of Julius Caesar|date=22 November 2019|publisher=Good Press|language=en}}</ref> ''Silina'' or ''Siluruni'',<ref>{{Cite book|last=Müller|first=Johann Wilhelm|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7zrjJpuL7ZQC&dq=insulae+Sillinae&pg=RA3-PA110|title=Lexicon manuale, geographiam antiquam et mediam cum Lat. tum Germ. illustrans|date=1831|language=la}}</ref> corresponding to Greek forms Σίλυρες and Σύρινες.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Ptolemy|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qmw0AQAAMAAJ&dq=%25CE%25A3%25CE%25AF%25CE%25BB%25CF%2585%25CF%2581%25CE%25B5%25CF%2582&pg=PA101|title=Geōgraphikē hyphēuēsis: pars 1. Lib. I-III|date=1883|publisher=A. Firmin Didot|language=la|at = Note on p. 101}}</ref> In the Late Middle Ages they were known to European navigators as ''Sorlingas'' (Spanish, Portuguese)<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6LwBAAAAYAAJ&dq=sorlingas+islas&pg=PA518|title=Derrotero de las islas Antillas: de las costas de Tierra Firme, y de las del seno Mejicano|date=1820|publisher=Imprenta Real|language=es}}</ref> or ''Sorlingues'' (French). In the Cornish language, the Isles of Scilly is {{lang|kw|Syllan}}.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/434563955 |title=An gerlyver meur : Cornish-English, English-Cornish dictionary |date=2009 |publisher=Cornish Language Board |others=Ken George |isbn=978-1-902917-84-9 |edition=2nd |location=Cornwall |pages=609 |oclc=434563955}}</ref> The etymology is unknown<ref>{{Cite book |last=Mills |first=A. D. |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/54381298 |title=A dictionary of British place-names |date=2003 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-173944-6 |location=Oxford |oclc=54381298|page=408}}</ref> however, some authors theorise  "Place sacred to the goddess [[Sulis]]" could be a possibility.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Weatherhill |first=Craig |title=A Concise Dictionary of Cornish Place-names |publisher=Evertype |year=2009 |isbn=9781904808220}}</ref> Some authors suggest the Latin ''Sillinae'' is derived or related to ''solis insulae'', "the Isles of the Sun".<ref>{{Cite book|last=Fishwick|first=Mark|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7dQREAAAQBAJ&dq=insulae+Sillinae&pg=PT376|title=West Country Cruising Companion: A yachtsman's pilot and cruising guide to ports and harbours from Portland Bill to Padstow, including the Isles of Scilly|date=2021|publisher=Fernhurst Books Limited|isbn=978-1-912621-18-7|language=en}}</ref>

== History ==
{{History of the British Isles}}

=== Early history ===
The islands may correspond to the [[Cassiterides]] ('Tin Isles'), believed by some to have been visited by the [[Phoenicia]]ns and mentioned by the [[Ancient Greece|Greeks]]. While Cornwall is an ancient [[Tin mining|tin-mining]] region,<ref>{{cite journal|last= Champion|first= Timothy|title= The appropriation of the Phoenicians in British imperial ideology|journal= Nations and Nationalism|volume= 7|issue= 4|pages= 451–465|doi= 10.1111/1469-8219.00027|year= 2001}}</ref> there is no evidence of this having taken place substantially on the islands.<ref name=":0" />

During the [[Later Roman Empire|Late Roman Empire]], the islands may have been a place of [[exile]]. At least one Tiberianus from [[Hispania]] is known to have been condemned c. 385 to banishment on the isles, as well as the bishop [[Priscillian|Instantius]], in the sequence of [[Priscillianism|Priscillianists]]' prosecution.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Chadwick |first1=Henry |title=Priscillian of Avila |date=1976 |publisher=Oxford University Press |location=Oxford |isbn=9780198266433 |pages=144–145}}</ref>

The isles were off the coast of the [[Celtic Britons|Brittonic Celtic]] kingdom of [[Dumnonia]] (and its future offshoot of ''Kernow'', or [[Cornwall]]). Later, c. 570, when the modern [[English Midlands|Midlands]]—and, in 577, the [[Severn Valley]]—fell to [[Anglo-Saxons|Anglo-Saxon]] control, the remaining Britons were split into three separate regions: the West (Cornwall), [[Wales]] and [[Cumbria]]–{{lang|cy|Ystrad Clyd}} ([[Strathclyde]]).

The islands may have been a part of these [[Polity|polities]] until a short-lived conquest, by the English, in the 10th century CE was cut short by the [[Norman Conquest|Norman conquest]].<ref name=":0" />

It is likely that, until relatively recent times, the islands were much larger, and perhaps conjoined into one island named Ennor. [[Sea level rise|Rising sea levels]] flooded the central plain around 400–500&nbsp;AD, forming the current 55 islands and islets (if an island is defined as "land surrounded by water at high tide and supporting land vegetation").<ref name=":0">{{cite book |last1=Bowley |first1=Rex Lyon |last2=Bowley |first2=Ernest Lyon |year=2004 |title=The Fortunate Islands: The Story of the Isles of Scilly |edition=Ninth |location=St. Mary's, Isles of Scilly |publisher=Bowley Publications |isbn=978-0-900184-40-6}} Originally written by Ernest Lyon Bowley and published in 1945 by W. P. Kennedy.</ref> The word {{lang|kw|Ennor}} is a contraction of the [[Cornish language|Old Cornish]]<ref name="Dictionary">{{cite web|last=Duncan |first=Steve |date=1 January 2000 |title=Scillonian Dictionary |url=http://www.scillyarchive.com/page/scillonian_dictionary.html |access-date=23 December 2016}}</ref> {{lang|kw|En Noer}} ({{lang|kw|Doer}}, [[Consonant mutation|mutated]] to {{lang|kw|Noer}}), meaning 'the land'<ref name="Dictionary"/> or 'the great island'.<ref>{{cite book |first=Charles |last=Thomas |year=1985 |title=Exploration of a Drowned Landscape: Archaeology and History of the Isles of Scilly |location=London |publisher=Batsford |isbn=978-0-7134-4852-8 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5Qd8AAAAIAAJ |via=[[Google Books]]}}</ref>

Evidence for the older, large island includes:

* A description, written during Ancient Roman times, designates Scilly "{{lang|la|Scillonia insula}}" in the [[grammatical number|singular]], indicating either a single island or an island much bigger than any of the others.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Duck |first=R. W. |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1145888878 |title=This shrinking land: climate change and Britain's coasts |date=2011 |publisher=Dundee University |isbn=978-1-4744-6785-8 |location=Dundee |pages=14 |oclc=1145888878}}</ref>
* Remains of a prehistoric farm have been found on [[Nornour]] (now a small, rocky [[skerry]] far too small for farming).<ref name="Thorgrim" /><ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite journal |last=Dudley |first=Dorothy |title=Excavations on Nor'Nour in the Isles of Scilly, 1962–6 |journal=[[The Archaeological Journal]] |volume=CXXIV |date=1967 |postscript=;}} includes a description of over 250 Roman fibulae found at the site.</ref> There once was an [[Iron Age Britain|Iron Age British]] community here that continued into Roman times.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> This community was likely formed by immigrants from [[Brittany]]—probably the [[Veneti (Gaul)|Veneti]]—who were active in the [[Tin sources and trade during antiquity|tin trade]] that originated in [[mining in Cornwall and Devon|mining activity in Cornwall and Devon]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Weatherhill |first1=Craig |title=IKTIS – The Ancient Cornish Tin Trade |url=https://cornwallyesteryear.com/iktis-the-ancient-cornish-tin-trade-by-craig-weatherhill/ |access-date=1 June 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The Rumps & The Veneti Refugees who Settled in Cornwall |url=https://cornishbirdblog.com/the-rumps-the-veneti-refugees-who-settled-in-cornwall/ |website=The Cornish Bird |date=21 January 2023 |access-date=1 June 2024}}</ref><!--blog, unreliable source: <ref>{{cite web |last1=Smith |first1=Drew |title=Veneti |url=https://theoysterman.blogspot.com/2008/05/veneti.html |access-date=1 June 2024}}</ref>-->
* At certain [[Tide|low tides]], the sea becomes shallow enough for people to walk between some of the islands.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.scillytoday.com/2013/08/22/scillys-unique-inter-island-walk-sets-off-this-morning/ |title=Scilly's Unique Inter Island Walk Sets Off This Morning |work=Scilly Today |date=22 August 2013 |access-date=9 June 2015}}</ref> This is possibly one of the sources for stories of "drowned lands", e.g. [[Lyonesse]].<ref name=":0" />
* Ancient field walls are visible below the high [[tideline]] off some of the islands, such as [[Samson, Isles of Scilly|Samson]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Dillon |first1=Paddy |title=Walking in the Isles of Scilly |date=2015 |publisher=Cicerone |page=67 |access-date=}}</ref>
* Some of the Cornish-language place names also appear to reflect historical shorelines and former land areas.<ref name="Weatherhill">{{cite book|last=Weatherhill |first=Craig |author-link=Craig Weatherhill |date=2007 |title=Cornish Placenames and Language |location=Wilmslow |publisher=Sigma Leisure}}</ref>
* The whole of [[southern England]] has been steadily sinking, in opposition to [[post-glacial rebound]] in Scotland: this has caused the [[ria]]s (drowned river valleys) on the southern Cornish coast, e.g. [[River Fal]] and the [[River Tamar|Tamar Estuary]].<ref name="ReferenceA" />

Offshore, midway between [[Land's End]] and the Isles of Scilly, is the supposed location of the mythical lost land of [[Lyonesse]], referred to in [[King Arthur|Arthurian]] literature (of which [[Tristan and Isolde|Tristan]] is said to have been a prince). This may be a [[folk memory]] of inundated lands, but this legend is also common among the [[Britons (historical)|Brythonic]] peoples; the legend of [[Ys]] is a parallel and cognate legend in Brittany, as is that of {{lang|cy|[[Cantre'r Gwaelod]]}} in Wales.<ref name=":0" />

Scilly has been identified as the place of exile of two [[Heresy|heretical]] 4th century bishops, Instantius and Tiberianus, who were followers of Priscillian.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ccel.org/ccel/wace/biodict.html?term=Priscillianus%20and%20Priscillianism,%20Priscillian |title=Priscillianus and Priscillianism |work=Dictionary of Christian Biography and Literature to the End of Sixth Century |access-date=11 December 2010}}</ref>

=== Norse and Norman period ===
[[File:Peter nicolai arbo, olaf tryggvasson king.jpg|thumb|[[Olaf I of Norway|Olaf Tryggvason]], who visited the islands in 986. It is said an encounter with a cleric there led him to Christianise [[Norway]].]]

[[File:EmpireNorth.JPG|thumb|At the time of [[Cnut the Great|King Cnut]], the Isles of Scilly fell outside [[Kingdom of England|England's rule]], as did Cornwall and Wales.]]
In 995, [[Olaf I of Norway|Olaf Tryggvason]] became King Olaf I of [[Norway]]. Born {{circa}} 960, Olaf had raided various European cities and fought in several wars. In 986 he met a Christian [[clairvoyance|seer]] on the Isles of Scilly. He was probably a follower of [[Priscillian]] and part of the tiny Christian community that was exiled here from Spain by [[Emperor Maximus]] for [[Priscillianism]].{{citation needed|date=January 2023}} In [[Snorri Sturluson]]'s ''Royal Sagas of Norway'', it is stated that this seer told him:

{{quote|Thou wilt become a renowned king, and do celebrated deeds. Many men wilt thou bring to faith and baptism, and both to thy own and others' good; and that thou mayst have no doubt of the truth of this answer, listen to these tokens. When thou comest to thy ships many of thy people will conspire against thee, and then a battle will follow in which many of thy men will fall, and thou wilt be wounded almost to death, and carried upon a shield to thy ship; yet after seven days thou shalt be well of thy wounds, and immediately thou shalt let thyself be baptised.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Sturlason |first=Snorri |chapter=King Olaf Trygvason's Saga |date=1225 |title=[[Heimskringla]] |language=non }}</ref>}}

The legend continues that, as the seer foretold, Olaf was attacked by a group of [[Mutiny|mutineers]] upon returning to his ships. As soon as he had recovered from his wounds, he let himself be baptised. He then stopped raiding Christian cities, and lived in England and Ireland. In 995, he used an opportunity to return to Norway. When he arrived, the [[Haakon Jarl]] was facing a revolt. Olaf Tryggvason persuaded the rebels to accept him as their king, and Jarl Haakon was murdered by his own slave, while he was hiding from the rebels in a pig sty.{{citation needed|date=January 2023}}

With the [[Norman Conquest]], the Isles of Scilly came more under centralised Norman control. About 20 years later, the [[Domesday Book|Domesday survey]] was conducted. The islands would have formed part of the "[[Exeter]] Domesday" circuit, which included Cornwall, [[Devon]], Dorset, [[Somerset]], and [[Wiltshire]].{{citation needed|date=January 2023}}

In the mid-12th century, there was reportedly a Viking attack on the Isles of Scilly, called '''{{lang|non|Syllingar}}''' by the Norse,<ref name="OrkSaga">{{cite book|editor-last=Anderson |editor-first=Joseph |orig-date=1893 |title=[[Orkneyinga saga]] |translator-first1=Jón A. |translator-last1=Hjaltalin |translator-first2=Gilbert |translator-last2=Goudie |location=Edinburgh |publisher=James Thin and Mercat Press |date=1990 |edition=reprint |isbn=9780901824257}}</ref> recorded in the {{lang|non|[[Orkneyinga saga]]}}—[[Sweyn Asleifsson]] "went south, under Ireland, and seized a barge belonging to some monks in Syllingar and plundered it."<ref name=OrkSaga /> (Chap LXXIII)

{{quote|...&nbsp;the three chiefs—Swein, Þorbjörn and Eirik—went out on a plundering expedition. They went first to the Suðreyar [Hebrides], and all along the west to the Syllingar, where they gained a great victory in Maríuhöfn on Columba's-mass [9 June], and took much booty. Then they returned to the Orkneys.<ref name=OrkSaga />}}

"{{lang|non|Maríuhöfn}}" literally means "Mary's Harbour/Haven". The name does not make it clear if it referred to a harbour on a larger island than today's St Mary's, or a whole island.{{citation needed|date=January 2023}}

It is generally considered that Cornwall, and possibly the Isles of Scilly, came under the dominion of the English Crown for a period until the Norman conquest, late in the reign of [[Æthelstan]] ({{abbr|r.|reigned}}&nbsp;924–939). In early times one group of islands was in the possession of a confederacy of hermits. [[Henry I of England|King Henry I]] (r.&nbsp;1100–1135) gave it to the [[Tavistock Abbey|abbey of Tavistock]] who established a priory on [[Tresco, Isles of Scilly|Tresco]], which was abolished at the [[English Reformation|Reformation]].<ref>{{cite book |title=The Cornish Church Guide |last=Henderson |first=Charles |location=Truro |publisher=Oscar Blackford |year=1925 |page=194}}</ref>

=== Later Middle Ages and early modern period ===
[[File:Kernow Hundreds.png|thumb|Scilly was one of the [[Hundreds of Cornwall]] (formerly known as Cornish Shires) in the early 19th century.]]
[[File:Scilly-bartholomew02 large.jpg|thumb|Scilly Isles: map by John Bartholomew (1874)]]

At the turn of the 14th century, the Abbot and convent of Tavistock Abbey petitioned the king,

{{quote|stat[ing] that they hold certain isles in the sea between Cornwall and Ireland, of which the largest is called Scilly, to which ships come passing between France, Normandy, Spain, [[Bayonne]], [[Gascony]], Scotland, Ireland, Wales and Cornwall: and, because they feel that in the event of a war breaking out between the kings of England and France, or between any of the other places mentioned, they would not have enough power to do justice to these sailors, they ask that they might exchange these islands for lands in Devon, saving the churches on the islands appropriated to them.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?Edoc_Id=7710638&queryType=1&resultcount=7 |title=Petitioners: Abbot and convent of Tavistock. Addressees: King and council. |access-date=25 November 2014 |publisher=[[The National Archives (United Kingdom)|The National Archives]]}}</ref>}}

William le Poer, coroner of Scilly, is recorded in 1305 as being worried about the [[list of shipwrecks of the Isles of Scilly|extent of wrecking in the islands]], and sending a petition to the King. The names provide a wide variety of origins, e.g. Robert and Henry Sage (English), Richard de Tregenestre (Cornish), Ace de Veldre (French), Davy Gogch (possibly Welsh, or Cornish), and Adam le Fuiz Yaldicz (possibly Spanish).{{citation needed|date=January 2023}}

It is not known at what point the islanders stopped speaking the [[Cornish language]], but the language seems to have gone into decline in Cornwall beginning in the [[Late Middle Ages]]; it was still dominant between the islands and Bodmin at the time of the Reformation, but it suffered an accelerated decline thereafter. The islands appear to have lost the old Brythonic (Celtic P) language before parts of [[Penwith]] on the mainland, in contrast to its Welsh sister language. Cornish is not directly linked to [[Irish language|Irish]] or [[Scottish Gaelic]] which falls into the Celtic Q group of languages.{{citation needed|date=January 2023}}

During the [[English Civil War]], the [[Roundhead|Parliamentarians]] captured the isles, only to see their garrison mutiny and return the isles to the [[Cavalier|Royalists]]. By 1651 the Royalist governor, [[John Granville, 1st Earl of Bath|Sir John Grenville]], was using the islands as a base for [[privateering]] raids on Commonwealth and Dutch shipping. The Dutch admiral [[Maarten Tromp]] sailed to the isles and on arriving on 30 May 1651 demanded compensation. In the absence of compensation or a satisfactory reply, he declared war on England in June. It was during this period that the disputed [[Three Hundred and Thirty Five Years' War]] started between the isles and the [[Netherlands]].<ref name=":0" />

In June 1651, [[Robert Blake (admiral)|Admiral Robert Blake]] recaptured the isles for the [[Roundhead|Parliamentarians]]. Blake's initial attack on [[Old Grimsby]] failed, but the next attacks succeeded in taking [[Tresco, Isles of Scilly|Tresco]] and [[Bryher, Isles of Scilly|Bryher]]. Blake placed a battery on Tresco to fire on [[St. Mary's, Isles of Scilly|St Mary's]], but one of the guns exploded, killing its crew and injuring Blake. A second battery proved more successful. Subsequently, Grenville and Blake negotiated terms that permitted the Royalists to surrender honourably. The Parliamentary forces then set to fortifying the islands. They built [[Cromwell's Castle]]—a gun platform on the west side of Tresco—using materials scavenged from an earlier gun platform further up the hill. Although this poorly sited earlier platform dated back to the 1550s, it is now referred to as [[King Charles's Castle]].<ref name=":0" />

The Isles of Scilly served as a place of exile during the English Civil War. Among those exiled there was [[Unitarianism|Unitarian]] [[John Biddle (Unitarian)|Jon Biddle]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Worden |first=Blair |date=2012 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=evIKK1WdYdcC&pg=PA79 |title=God's Instruments: Political Conduct in the England of Oliver Cromwell |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |pages=79–81 |isbn=9780199570492}}</ref>

During the night of 22 October 1707, the isles were the scene of [[Scilly naval disaster of 1707|one of the worst maritime disasters]] in British history, when out of a fleet of 21 Royal Navy ships headed from [[Gibraltar]] to [[Portsmouth]], six were driven onto the cliffs. Four of the ships sank or capsized, with at least 1,450 dead, including the commanding [[admiral]] Sir [[Cloudesley Shovell]].<ref name=":0" />

There is evidence of inundation by the tsunami caused by the [[1755 Lisbon earthquake]].<ref name="Banerjee et al. 2001.">{{cite journal |last1=Banerjee |first1=D. |title=Scilly Isles, UK: optical dating of a possible tsunami deposit from the 1755 Lisbon earthquake |journal=[[Quaternary Science Reviews]] |date=1 December 2001 |volume=20 |issue=5–9 |pages=715–718 |url=http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0277379100000421 |access-date=30 March 2015 |doi=10.1016/s0277-3791(00)00042-1 |display-authors=etal |bibcode=2001QSRv...20..715B}}</ref>

== Geography ==
[[File:Isles of Scilly NASA.jpg|thumb|The Isles of Scilly, viewed from the [[International Space Station]]]]
[[File:Scilly Isles Locator Map.png|thumb|Location of the Isles of Scilly (circled)]]
[[File:Scilly wards parishes.png|thumb|The five [[wards and electoral divisions of the United Kingdom|wards]] (which are also the [[civil parishes in England|civil parishes]]) of the Isles of Scilly; red is St Agnes, blue is Bryher, orange is Tresco, green is St Martin's, and grey is St Mary's.]]

The Isles of Scilly form an archipelago of five inhabited islands (six if [[Gugh]] is counted separately from St Agnes) and numerous other small rocky [[islet]]s (around 140 in total) lying {{convert|45|km|nmi|frac=2|abbr=off}} off [[Land's End]].<ref name="readersnatural">{{cite book|title=Natural Wonders of the World |publisher=Reader's Digest Association, Inc |year=1980 |isbn=978-0-89577-087-5 |editor-last=Scheffel |editor-first=Richard L. |location=United States of America |page=340 |editor-last2=Wernet |editor-first2=Susan J.}}</ref> Troy Town Farm on St Agnes is the southernmost settlement of the British Isles.

The islands' position produces a place of great contrast; the ameliorating effect of the sea, greatly influenced by the [[North Atlantic Current]], means they rarely have frost or snow, which allows local farmers to grow flowers well ahead of those in mainland Britain. The chief agricultural product is cut flowers, mostly [[daffodil]]s. Exposure to [[Atlantic Ocean|Atlantic]] winds also means that spectacular winter gales lash the islands from time to time. {{Citation needed|date=January 2023}}This is reflected in the landscape, most clearly seen on Tresco where the lush [[Tresco Abbey Gardens|Abbey Gardens]] on the sheltered southern end of the island contrast with the low [[calluna|heather]] and bare rock sculpted by the wind on the exposed northern end.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Mumford |first=Clive |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/859198 |title=Portrait of the Isles of Scilly |publisher=Robert Hale |year=1980 |isbn=0-7091-1718-3 |edition=3rd |location=London |pages=188–189 |language=en |oclc=859198}}</ref>

[[Natural England]] has designated the Isles of Scilly as [[National Character Area]] 158.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/Images/158_Isles_of_scilly_tcm6-32162.pdf |title=NCA 158: Isles of Scilly Key Facts & Data |website=www.naturalengland.org.uk. |access-date=8 September 2013}}</ref> As part of a 2002 marketing campaign, the plant conservation charity [[Plantlife]] chose sea thrift (''[[Armeria maritima]]'') as the "[[floral emblem|county flower]]" of the islands.<ref name="Thorgrim">{{cite web |last=Thorgrim |date=14 December 2003 |title=Nornour |publisher=The Megalithic Portal |url=http://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=7614 |access-date=5 May 2021}}</ref><ref name="thrift">{{cite web |url=http://www.plantlife.org.uk/uk/plantlife-discovering-plants-county-flowers-england-islesofscilly.htm |title=County flower of Isles of Scilly |publisher=Plantlife International&nbsp;– The Wild Plant Conservation Charity |access-date=7 April 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070318142059/http://www.plantlife.org.uk/uk/plantlife-discovering-plants-county-flowers-england-islesofscilly.htm |archive-date=18 March 2007}}</ref>

{|class="wikitable sortable"
!rowspan=2|Island
!rowspan=2| Population<br/>([[United Kingdom Census 2001|Census 2001]])
! colspan=2| Area<br>{{citation needed|date=January 2023}}
! colspan=2| Density<br>{{citation needed|date=January 2023}}
! rowspan=2| Main settlement<br>{{citation needed|date=January 2023}}
|-
! km<sup>2</sup>
! sq mi
! per km<sup>2</sup>
! per sq mi
|-
|[[St Mary's, Isles of Scilly|St Mary's]]|| style="text-align:right;"| 1,666 || {{convert|6.58|km2|2|disp=table|sortable=on}} || {{convert|253.2|/km2|disp=table|sortable=on}}|| [[Hugh Town]]
|-
|[[Tresco, Isles of Scilly|Tresco]]|| style="text-align:right;"| 180 || {{convert|2.97|km2|2|disp=table|sortable=on}} || {{convert|60.6|/km2|disp=table|sortable=on}} ||[[New Grimsby]]
|-
|[[St Martin's, Isles of Scilly|St Martin's]] (with [[White Island, Isles of Scilly|White Island]])|| style="text-align:right;"| 142 || {{convert|2.37|km2|2|disp=table|sortable=on}} || {{convert|60.0|/km2|disp=table|sortable=on}} || [[Higher Town, Isles of Scilly|Higher Town]]
|-
|[[St. Agnes, Isles of Scilly|St Agnes]] (with [[Gugh, Isles of Scilly|Gugh]]) || style="text-align:right;"| 73|| {{convert|1.48|km2|2|disp=table|sortable=on}} || {{convert|49.3|/km2|disp=table|sortable=on}} || [[Middle Town, St Agnes|Middle Town]]
|-
|[[Bryher, Isles of Scilly|Bryher]] (with [[Gweal, Isles of Scilly|Gweal]])|| style="text-align:right;"| 92 || {{convert|1.32|km2|2|disp=table|sortable=on}} || {{convert|70.0|/km2|disp=table|sortable=on}} || The Town
|-
|[[Samson, Isles of Scilly|Samson]]|| style="text-align:right;"|–<sup>(1)</sup> || {{convert|0.38|km2|2|disp=table|sortable=on}} || style="text-align:right;"|&nbsp;-|| &nbsp;
|-
|[[Annet, Isles of Scilly|Annet]]|| style="text-align:right;"|&nbsp;– || {{convert|0.21|km2|2|disp=table|sortable=on}} || style="text-align:right;"|&nbsp;-||&nbsp;
|-
|[[St Helen's, Isles of Scilly|St. Helen's]]|| style="text-align:right;"|&nbsp;– || {{convert|0.20|km2|2|disp=table|sortable=on}} || style="text-align:right;"|&nbsp;-|| &nbsp;
|-
|[[Teän]]|| style="text-align:right;"|&nbsp;– || {{convert|0.16|km2|2|disp=table|sortable=on}} || style="text-align:right;"|&nbsp;- || &nbsp;
|-
|[[Great Ganilly]]|| style="text-align:right;"|&nbsp;– || {{convert|0.13|km2|2|disp=table|sortable=on}} || style="text-align:right;"|&nbsp;-|| &nbsp;
|-
|Remaining 45 islets|| style="text-align:right;"|&nbsp;– || {{convert|0.57|km2|2|disp=table|sortable=on}} || style="text-align:right;"|&nbsp;-|| &nbsp;
|-
!Isles of Scilly!! style="text-align:right;"| 2,153 
! {{convert|16.37|km2|2|disp=table|sortable=on}}
!&nbsp; !!&nbsp; !![[Hugh Town]]
|}
<sup>(1) </sup> Inhabited until 1855.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Bowley |first=R. L. |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/60559326 |title=The Fortunate Islands: The story of the Isles of Scilly |publisher=Bowley Publications |year=2004 |isbn=0-900184-40-X |edition=9th |location=St Mary's, Isles of Scilly |pages=96 |language=en |oclc=60559326}}</ref>

In 1975 the islands were designated as an [[Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty]]. The designation covers the entire archipelago, including the uninhabited islands and rocks, and is the smallest such area in the UK. The islands of Annet and Samson have large [[tern]]eries and the islands are well populated by [[pinniped|seals]]. The Isles of Scilly are the only British haunt of the [[lesser white-toothed shrew]] (''Crocidura suaveolens''), where it is known locally as a "''teak''" or "''teke''".<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Robinson |first=H.W. |date=1925 |title=A New British Animal Discovered in Scilly |magazine=Scillonian |number=4 |pages=123–124}}</ref>

=== Tidal influx ===
The tidal range at the Isles of Scilly is high for an open sea location; the maximum for St Mary's is {{convert|5.99|m|ftin|frac=2|abbr=on}}. Additionally, the inter-island waters are mostly shallow, which at [[spring tides]] allows for dry land walking between several of the islands. Many of the northern islands can be reached from Tresco, including Bryher, Samson and St Martin's (requires very low tides). From St Martin's White Island, Little Ganilly and Great Arthur are reachable. Although the sound between St Mary's and Tresco, The Road, is fairly shallow, it never becomes totally dry, but according to some sources it should be possible to wade at extreme low tides. Around St Mary's several minor islands become accessible, including Taylor's Island on the west coast and Tolls Island on the east coast. From Saint Agnes, Gugh becomes accessible at each low tide, via a [[tombolo]].{{citation needed|date=January 2023}}

=== Climate ===
The Isles of Scilly have an [[oceanic climate|oceanic climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]]: ''Cfb''). The average annual temperature is {{convert|12.0|°C|F|1|abbr=on}}, the warmest place in the British Isles.<ref>{{cite news|last=Hickman |first=Leo |date=10 April 2011 |title=Isles of Scilly turn heat on Jersey over 'warmest place in Britain' claim |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2011/apr/10/isles-of-scilly-jersey-warmest-britain |quote=The [[Met Office]] officially recognises Scilly as the warmest place in the UK.}}</ref> Winters are, by far, the warmest in the UK due to the moderating effects of the [[North Atlantic Current|North Atlantic Drift]] of the [[Gulf Stream]].<ref>{{cite journal|last=Killingley |first=Eileen |year=2011 |title=Bromeliads of Tresco Abbey Garden, Isles of Scilly, Cornwall, England |journal=Journal of the Bromeliad Society |volume=61 |issue=6 |pages=268–276 |url=https://go.gale.com/ps/anonymous?id=GALE&#124;A610341900 |quote=While the Scillies do have the warming influence of the Gulf Stream they are also subject to cold winter gales.}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last=Cooper |first=Leslie H. N. |year=1961 |title=The oceanography of the Celtic Sea. I. Wind drift |journal=Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom |volume=41 |issue=2 |pages=223–233 |doi=10.1017/S0025315400023870 |s2cid=86325502 |url=http://plymsea.ac.uk/2131/1/The_oceanography_of_the_Celtic_Sea__I._Wind_drift.pdf}}</ref> Despite being on exactly the same latitude as [[Winnipeg]] in Canada, snow and frost are extremely rare. The maximum snowfall was {{convert|23|cm|in|frac=2|abbr=on}} on [[1987 United Kingdom and Ireland cold wave|12 January 1987]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/media/pdf/c/n/MetLIB_13_013_FactSheet_7_Final.pdf |title=Fact Sheet – South West England |pages=17 |website=[[Met Office]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140524004028/http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/media/pdf/c/n/MetLIB_13_013_FactSheet_7_Final.pdf |archive-date=24 May 2014}}</ref> 

Summer heat is moderated by the [[Atlantic Ocean]] and summer temperatures are not as warm as on the mainland. However, the Isles are one of the sunniest areas in the southwest with an average of seven hours per day in May. The lowest temperature ever recorded was {{convert|-7.2|°C|F|1|abbr=on}} and the highest was {{convert|27.8|°C|F|1|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web|author= |title=Extreme Temperatures Around the World: world highest lowest recorded temperatures |publisher=Maximiliano Herrera |url=http://www.mherrera.org/temp.htm}}</ref> The isles have never recorded a temperature below freezing in the months from May to November inclusive. Precipitation (the overwhelming majority of which is rain) averages about {{Convert|35|in|mm|abbr=on}} per year. The wettest months are from October to January, while April and May are the driest months.{{citation needed|date=January 2023}}

{{Isles of Scilly weatherbox}}

=== Geology ===
[[File:The Victoria history of the county of Cornwall (1906) (14754540266).jpg|thumb|right|Geological map of western Cornwall, with the Isles of Scilly (inset)]]

All the islands of Scilly are all composed of [[granite]] rock of [[Cisuralian|Early Permian]] age, an exposed part of the [[Cornubian batholith]].<ref name="Barrow">{{cite book|last=Barrow |first=George |year=1906 |title=The Geology of the Isles of Scilly |series=Memoirs of the Geological Survey of Great Britain. England and Wales (New Series) No. 357 |publisher=HM Stationery Office |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=prYMAAAAYAAJ}}</ref><ref name="Darbyshire">{{cite journal|last1=Darbyshire |first1=D. P. Fiona |last2=Shepherd |first2=Thomas J. |year=1994 |title=Nd and Sr isotope constraints on the origin of the Cornubian batholith, SW England |journal=[[Journal of the Geological Society]] |volume=151 |issue=5 |pages=795 |doi=10.1144/gsjgs.151.5.0795 |bibcode=1994JGSoc.151..795D |s2cid=128417340 |url=http://jgs.lyellcollection.org/cgi/content/abstract/151/5/795}}</ref> The [[Irish Sea Glacier]] terminated just to the north of the Isles of Scilly during the [[Last Glacial Period|last ice age]].<ref name="Hiemstra-2006">{{cite journal |last1=Hiemstra |first1=John F. |display-authors=etal |title=New evidence for a grounded Irish Sea glaciation of the Isles of Scilly, UK |journal=[[Quaternary Science Reviews]] |date=February 2006 |volume=25 |issue=3–4 |pages=299–309 |url=http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0277379105000491 |access-date=29 March 2015 |doi=10.1016/j.quascirev.2005.01.013 |bibcode=2006QSRv...25..299H |hdl=1885/20102 |s2cid=131144622 |hdl-access=free}}</ref><ref name="Scourse-1991">{{cite journal |last1=Scourse |first1=James D. |year=1991 |title=Late Pleistocene Stratigraphy and Palaeobotany of the Isles of Scilly |journal=Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B: Biological Sciences |volume=334 |issue=1271 |pages=405–448 |url=http://rstb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/334/1271/405.short |doi=10.1098/rstb.1991.0125 |bibcode=1991RSPTB.334..405S |access-date=29 March 2015}}</ref>

=== Ancient monuments and historic buildings ===
{{prose|date=January 2023}}
[[File:Isles of Scilly Ancient Monuments Map O'Neil 1949.jpg|thumb|Map of ancient monuments on the Isles of Scilly<ref name="O'NEIL">{{cite book |first=B.H.St.J. |last=O'Neil |title=Ancient Monuments of the Isles of Scilly. Ministry of Works Official Guide-book |year=1949 |pages= |publisher=Her Majesty's Stationery Office (HMSO) |oclc=561729732 |url=https://archive.org/details/isles-of-scilly}}</ref>]]
Historic sites on the Isles of Scilly include:{{citation needed|date=January 2023}}
* [[Bant's Carn]], a [[Bronze Age]] [[Scillonian entrance grave|entrance grave]]
* [[Halangy Down|Halangy Down Ancient Village]]
* [[Porth Hellick Down|Porth Hellick Down Burial Chamber]]
* [[Innisidgen|Innisidgen Lower and Upper Burial Chambers]]
* [[Old Blockhouse|The Old Blockhouse]]
* [[King Charles's Castle]]
* [[Harry's Walls]], an unfinished artillery fort
* [[Garrison Tower]]
* [[Cromwell's Castle]]

== Flora ==
The Isles of Scilly have been a famous location for flower farming for centuries, and in that time [[horticultural flora]] has become a mainstay of the Scillonian economy.
Due to the [[oceanic climate]] found on the Isles of Scilly the isles have the unique ability to grow a multitude of plants found around the world. 
Perhaps the most prominently grown flower on the Isles are the scented Narcissi or [[Narcissus (plant)|Narcissus]], commonly known as the daffodil. There are flower farms on the isles of St.  Agnes, St. Mary's, as well as St. Martin's and Bryher. The scented Narcissi are grown October through April, scented pinks or [[Dianthus]] are the second most notably grown flower on the isles which are in full bloom from May through September. Summer time on the Isles provides the temperate conditions for the blossom of many more types of plant. Bermuda Buttercup or [[Oxalis pes-caprae]] are very often found growing in bulb fields. In early summer, [[Digitalis]] colloquially known as foxgloves grow amongst hedgerows and [[bramble]].

Other common sprouting plants throughout the summer season include:
*[[Ixia maculata]]
*[[Iris pseudacorus]]
*[[Lythrum salicaria]]
*[[Oenanthe crocata]]

In saturated areas you might observe:
*[[Anagallis tenella]]
*[[Mentha aquatica]]
*[[Stellaria alsine]]
*[[Triadenum]]

Hedgerows were planted a century ago as [[windbreaks]] to protect the crop fields and to survive a battering from storms and [[sea spray]] it is necessary to have sturdy roots and be a species that can withstand salt and gusts.

A many species of exotic plants have been brought in over the years including some trees; however there are still few remaining native tree species on the Isles of Scilly: these include   [[elm]], [[Elder tree|elder]], [[Crataegus monogyna|hawthorn]] and [[grey sallow]].

== Fauna ==
{{main article|Fauna of the Isles of Scilly}}
{{expand section|date=March 2024}}
Scilly is situated far into the [[Atlantic Ocean]], so many North American vagrant birds will make first European landfall in the archipelago. Scilly is responsible for many firsts for Britain, and is particularly good at producing vagrant American passerines. If an extremely rare bird turns up, the island will see a significant increase in numbers of birders. The islands are famous among [[birdwatching|birdwatchers]] for the large variety of rare and migratory birds that visit the islands. The peak time of year for sightings is generally in the autumn.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 March 2016 |title=Birdwatching - The Isles of Scilly |url=https://www.cornwalls.co.uk/wildlife/birdwatching/isles_of_scilly.htm |access-date=22 May 2022 |website=Cornwall Guide |language=en}}</ref>

===Important Bird Area===
The archipelago has been designated an [[Important Bird Area]] (IBA) by [[BirdLife International]] because it supports breeding populations of several species of [[seabird]]s, including [[European storm-petrel]]s, [[European shag]]s, [[lesser black-backed gull|lesser]] and [[great black-backed gull]]s, and [[common tern]]s. [[Ruddy turnstone]]s visit in winter.<ref name=bli>{{cite web |url= https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/isles-of-scilly-iba-united-kingdom/details |title=Isles of Scilly|author=<!--Not stated--> |date=2024|website= BirdLife Data Zone|publisher= BirdLife International|access-date= 2024-08-28}}</ref>

== Government ==
[[File:Baner ynysek Syllan.svg|thumb|The Scillonian Cross, the flag of the Isles of Scilly.]]
[[File:Flag of Cornwall.svg|thumb|[[Saint Piran's Flag|Saint Piran's Cross]], the flag of Cornwall. The Isles of Scilly were one of the [[Hundreds of Cornwall]], and although they have been administratively separate since 1890, they are still part of the ceremonial county of [[Cornwall]].]]

===Governors of Scilly===
{{main|List of Governors of Scilly}}

Historically, the Isles of Scilly were primarily ruled by a Proprietor/Governor. The governor was a military [[Commission (document)|commission]] made by the monarch in consultation with the [[Admiralty (United Kingdom)|Admiralty]] in recognition of the islands' strategic position. The office of Governor was pre-eminent in [[military law]] but not in [[Civil law (common law)|civil law]], where the [[Magistrates' court (England and Wales)|magistracy]] was vested in the Proprietor, who had a [[leasehold]] from the [[Duchy of Cornwall]] of the islands' land area. Usually the Proprietor served as Governor, although, according to [[Robert Heath (mathematician)|Robert Heath]], a Major Bennett was Governor for a short time before Proprietor [[Francis Godolphin, 2nd Earl of Godolphin]] was commissioned on 7 July 1733. The Proprietor/Governor was non-resident, delegating the military functions to a Lieutenant-Governor and the civil functions to a Council of twelve residents.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Woodley |first1=George |title=A View of the Present State of the Scilly Islands|date=1822 |publisher=F. C. and J. Rivington; Longman; Carthew, County Library, Truro |location=London |pages=93–104 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YadfAAAAcAAJ&pg=PA89 |language=en |chapter=Of the Civil, Military, and Ecclesiastical Government of the Scilly Islands}}</ref>

An early governor of Scilly was [[Thomas Godolphin]], whose son [[Francis Godolphin (1540–1608)|Francis]] received a lease on the Isles in 1568. The Godolphins and their Osborne relatives held this position until 1831, when [[George Osborne, 6th Duke of Leeds|George Osbourne, 6th Duke of Leeds]] surrendered the lease to the islands, with them then returning to direct rule from the [[Duchy of Cornwall]]. In 1834 [[Augustus Smith (politician)|Augustus Smith]] acquired the lease from the Duchy for £20,000, and created the title ''Lord Proprietor of the Isles of Scilly''. The lease remained in his family until it expired for most of the Isles in 1920 when ownership reverted to back to the Duchy of Cornwall. Today, the Dorrien-Smith family still holds the lease for the island of [[Tresco, Isles of Scilly|Tresco]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Bowley |first=R. L. |title=The Fortunate Islands |publisher=Bowley Publications |year=2004 |isbn=0-900184-40-X |edition=9th |location=St Mary's, Isles of Scilly |language=En}}</ref>

=== National government ===
Politically, the islands are part of England, one of the four [[countries of the United Kingdom]].<ref name="Interpretation Act 1978">{{Cite legislation UK |type=act |year=1978 |chapter=30 |act=Interpretation Act 1978 |section= |schedule=1 |quote="England" means, subject to any alteration of boundaries under Part IV of the Local Government Act 1972, the area consisting of the counties established by section 1 of that Act, Greater London and the Isles of Scilly. [1st April 1974]. |access-date=16 February 2024}}</ref> They are represented in the [[Parliament of the United Kingdom|UK Parliament]] as part of the [[St Ives (UK Parliament constituency)|St Ives constituency]]. As part of the United Kingdom, the islands [[Brexit|were]] part of the [[European Union]] and were represented in the [[European Parliament]] as part of the multi-member [[South West England (European Parliament constituency)|South West England constituency]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Your MP and MEPs {{!}} Council of the ISLES OF SCILLY |url=https://scilly.gov.uk/council/your-mp |access-date=29 January 2023 |website=scilly.gov.uk}}</ref>

=== Local government ===
{{See also|Council of the Isles of Scilly}}

Historically, the Isles of Scilly were administered as one of the [[hundreds of Cornwall]], although the Cornwall [[quarter sessions]] had limited jurisdiction there. For judicial purposes, [[High Sheriff|shrievalty]] purposes, and [[Lord Lieutenant|lieutenancy]] purposes, the Isles of Scilly are "deemed to form part of the county of Cornwall".<ref>Local Government Act 1972 (1972 c.70) section 216(2)</ref>

The [[Local Government Act 1888]] allowed the [[Local Government Board]] to establish in the Isles of Scilly "councils and other local authorities separate from those of the county of Cornwall"... "for the application to the islands of any act touching local government." Accordingly, in 1890 the ''Isles of Scilly Rural District Council'' (the RDC) was formed as a ''[[sui generis]]'' [[Unitary Authority|unitary authority]], outside the [[administrative county]] of Cornwall. Cornwall County Council provided some services to the Isles, for which the RDC made financial contributions. The Isles of Scilly Order 1930<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksro/1930/216/pdfs/uksro_19300216_en.pdf |title=Isles of Scilly Order 1930 |publisher=The National Archives}}</ref> granted the council the "powers, duties and liabilities" of a [[county council]]. Section 265 of the [[Local Government Act 1972]] allowed for the continued existence of the RDC, but renamed as the ''Council of the Isles of Scilly''.<ref name=iosuatt>{{cite web |title=Isles of Scilly Cornwall through time |url=http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/unit_page.jsp?u_id=10076742&c_id=10171878 |publisher=visionofbritain.org.uk |access-date=19 January 2007}}</ref><ref name=iosrdtt>{{cite web|title=Isles of Scilly RD Cornwall through time |url=http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/relationships.jsp?u_id=10026210&c_id=10001043 |publisher=visionofbritain.org.uk |access-date=19 January 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070506230150/http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/relationships.jsp?u_id=10026210&c_id=10001043 |archive-date= 6 May 2007}}</ref> This unusual status also means that much administrative law (for example relating to the functions of local authorities, the health service and other public bodies) that applies in the rest of England applies in modified form in the islands.<ref>Examples include the [http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2003/ukpga_20030043_en_15#pt6-l1g198 Health and Social Care Act 2003, section 198] and the [http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1995/ukpga_19950025_en_14#pt5-pb13-l1g114 Environment Act 1995, section 117].</ref>

With a total population of just over 2,000, the council represents fewer inhabitants than many English [[parish councils in England|parish councils]], and is by far the smallest English unitary council. {{As of|2015}}, 130 people are employed [[full-time equivalent|full-time]] by the council<ref>Leijser, Theo (2015) ''Scilly Now & Then'' no. 77 p. 35</ref> to provide local services (including water supply and [[air traffic control]]). These numbers are significant, in that almost 10% of the adult population of the islands is directly linked to the council, as an employee or a councillor.<ref name=acca2002>{{cite web |title=Council of the Isles of Scilly Corporate Assessment December 2002 |publisher=[[Audit Commission (United Kingdom)|Audit Commission]] |url=http://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/Products/CPA-CORP-ASSESS-REPORT/5B3C6E84-EA60-4359-A9F5-4A0FC538812D/IslesofScillyCARpt.pdf |access-date=21 January 2007}}</ref>

The Council consists of 16 elected councillors, 12 of whom are returned by the [[Wards and electoral divisions of the United Kingdom|ward]] of St Mary's, and one from each of four "off-island" wards (St Martin's, St Agnes, Bryher, and Tresco). The [[2021 Council of the Isles of Scilly election|latest elections]] took place on 6 May 2021; all 15 councillors elected were [[Independent (politician)|independents]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Elections &#124; Council of the ISLES OF SCILLY|url=https://www.scilly.gov.uk/council-democracy/elections|access-date=10 February 2023|website=www.scilly.gov.uk}}</ref> One seat, for the island of Bryher, received no nominations and remained vacant until filled by a further independent councillor on 28 May.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Councillors and Committees &#124; Council of the ISLES OF SCILLY|url=http://committees.scilly.gov.uk/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=50001335|access-date=10 February 2023|website=committees.scilly.gov.uk}}</ref>

The council is headquartered at Town Hall, by The Parade park in [[Hugh Town]], and also performs the administrative functions of the [[Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty|AONB]] Partnership<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ios-aonb.info/ |title=Welcome to the Isles of Scilly Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) |work=Isles of Scilly Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) |access-date=9 June 2015 |archive-date=20 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130320050231/http://www.ios-aonb.info/projects/isles-scilly-seabird-recovery-project/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> and the [[Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.scillyifca.gov.uk |title=Welcome to the Isles of Scilly Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority |work=Isles of Scilly IFCA}}</ref>

Some aspects of local government are shared with Cornwall, including [[Healthcare in Cornwall|health]], and the Council of the Isles of Scilly together with [[Cornwall Council]] form a [[Local Enterprise Partnership]]. In July 2015 a [[devolution in the United Kingdom|devolution]] deal was announced by the [[Second Cameron ministry|government]] under which Cornwall Council and the Council of the Isles of Scilly are to create a plan to bring health and social care services together under local control. The Local Enterprise Partnership is also to be bolstered.<ref>{{cite news |title=Cornwall devolution: First county with new powers |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-33542592 |access-date=27 August 2015 |work=[[BBC News Online]] |date=16 July 2015}}</ref>

=== Flags ===
[[File:St Mary's Church, Hugh Town.JPG|thumb|The Scillonian Cross flying above [[St Mary's Church, St Mary's|St Mary's Church]] in Hugh Town.]]

Two flags are used to represent Scilly, The [[Scillonian Cross]], selected by readers of ''Scilly News'' in a 2002 vote and then registered with the [[Flag Institute]] as the flag of the islands,<ref name="bofflag" /><ref name="sccross">{{cite web |url=http://news.scillyarchive.com/2003/04/how_do_you_get_a_scillonian_cross.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130411190218/http://news.scillyarchive.com/2003/04/how_do_you_get_a_scillonian_cross.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=11 April 2013 |title=How Do You Get A Scillonian Cross |publisher=Scilly Archive |access-date=16 January 2007}}</ref><ref name="flaginstitute">{{cite web |url=https://www.flaginstitute.org/wp/flags/islesofscilly/ |title=Isles of Scilly – The Flag Institute |publisher=The Flag Institute |access-date=25 July 2017}}</ref> and the flag of the Council of the Isles of Scilly, which incorporates the council's logo and represents the council.<ref name="bofflag">{{cite web |url=https://www.fotw.info/flags/gb-co-is.html |title=Isles of Scilly (United Kingdom) |publisher=fotw.net |access-date=16 January 2007}}</ref> An adapted version of the old Board of Ordnance flag has also been used, after it was left behind when munitions were removed from the isles. The "Cornish Ensign" (the Cornish cross with the Union Jack in the canton) has also been used.<ref name="bofflag" /><ref name="cornens">{{cite web|url=https://www.fotw.info/flags/gb-corn.html |title=Cornwall (United Kingdom) |publisher=fotw.net |access-date=16 January 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070117170419/https://www.fotw.info/flags/gb-corn.html |archive-date=17 January 2007}}</ref>

=== Emergency services ===
The Isles of Scilly form part of the [[Devon and Cornwall Police]] force area. There is a police station in [[Hugh Town]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Taylor |first=Colin |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/974938409 |title=The life of a Scilly sergeant |date=2017 |isbn=978-1-78475-515-7 |location=London |oclc=974938409}}</ref>

The [[Cornwall Air Ambulance]] helicopter provides cover to the islands.<ref>[http://www.scillytoday.com/2015/06/11/busy-week-for-cornwall-air-ambulance Busy week for Cornwall Air Ambulance] ''Scilly Today''</ref>

The islands have their own independent fire brigade – the [[Isles of Scilly Fire and Rescue Service]] – which is staffed entirely by retained firefighters on all the inhabited islands.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fire & Rescue {{!}} Council of the ISLES OF SCILLY |url=https://scilly.gov.uk/community-safety/fire-rescue |access-date=9 January 2022 |website=scilly.gov.uk}}</ref>

The emergency ambulance service is provided by the South Western Ambulance Service with full-time [[paramedic]]s employed to cover the islands working with [[Ambulance attendant|emergency care attendants]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Welcome to SWASFT - |url=https://www.swast.nhs.uk/welcome/about-us/welcome-to-south-western-ambulance-service-nhs-foundation-trust-swasft |access-date=9 January 2022 |website=www.swast.nhs.uk}}</ref>

== Education ==
[[File:Five Islands Academy.jpg|thumb|[[Five Islands Academy]] site at St Mary's]]
Education is available on the islands up to age 16. There is one school, the [[Five Islands Academy]], which provides primary schooling at sites on St Agnes, St Mary's, St Martin's and Tresco, and secondary schooling at a site on St Mary's, with secondary students from outside St Mary's living at a school boarding house (Mundesley House) during the week.<ref>{{cite web |title=Welcome to The Five Islands Academy {{!}} Five Islands Academy |url=https://www.fiveislands.scilly.sch.uk/welcome-to-the-five-islands-academy/ |access-date=9 January 2022 |website=www.fiveislands.scilly.sch.uk |archive-date=9 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220109174904/https://www.fiveislands.scilly.sch.uk/welcome-to-the-five-islands-academy/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Sixteen- to eighteen-year-olds are entitled to a free [[sixth form]] place at a state school or sixth form college on the mainland, and are provided with free flights and a grant towards accommodation.<ref>{{cite web|title=Schools & Colleges {{!}} Council of the ISLES OF SCILLY |url=https://www.scilly.gov.uk/childrens-services/schools-colleges |access-date=9 January 2022 |website=www.scilly.gov.uk}}</ref>

== Economy ==
=== Historical context ===
Since the mid-18th century the Scillonian economy has relied on trade with the mainland and beyond as a means of sustaining its population. Over the years the nature of this trade has varied, due to wider economic and political factors that have seen the rise and fall of industries, such as [[kelp]] harvesting, [[harbour pilot|pilotage]], smuggling, fishing, [[shipbuilding]] and, latterly [[floriculture|flower farming]]. In a 1987 study of the Scillonian economy, Neate found that many farms on the islands were struggling to remain profitable due to increasing costs and strong competition from overseas producers, with resulting diversification into tourism. Statistics suggest that agriculture on the islands now represents less than 2% of all employment.<ref>Gibson, F, ''My Scillionian Home... its past, its present, its future'', St Ives, 1980</ref><ref name="partnership">''Isles of Scilly Integrated Area Plan 2001–2004'', Isles of Scilly Partnership 2001</ref><ref>Neate, S, ''The role of tourism in sustaining farm structures and communities on the Isles of Scilly'' in M Bouquet and M Winter (eds) ''Who From Their Labours Rest? Conflict and practice in rural tourism'' Aldershot, 1987</ref>

=== Tourism ===
[[File:St Martins Daymark.jpg|thumb|The [[Daymark]] (daylight version of a [[lighthouse]]) on St Martins, the nearest point to the mainland of [[Cornwall]].]]

Today, tourism is estimated to account for 85% of the islands' income. The islands have been successful in attracting this investment due to their special environment, favourable summer climate, relaxed culture, efficient co-ordination of tourism providers and good transport links by sea and air to the mainland, uncommon in scale to similar-sized island communities.<ref name="council">''Isles of Scilly Local Plan: A 2020 Vision'', Council of the Isles of Scilly, 2004</ref><ref name="touristboard">''Isles of Scilly 2004, imagine...'', Isles of Scilly Tourist Board, 2004</ref>

The islands' economy is highly dependent on tourism, even by the standards of other island communities. "The concentration [on] a small number of sectors is typical of most similarly sized UK island communities. However, it is the degree of concentration, which is distinctive along with the overall importance of tourism within the economy as a whole and the very limited manufacturing base that stands out".<ref name="partnership" />

Tourism is also a highly seasonal industry owing to its reliance on outdoor recreation, and the lower number of tourists in winter results in a significant constriction of the islands' commercial activities. However, the tourist season benefits from an extended period of business in October when many [[birding|birdwatchers]] ("twitchers") arrive.{{Citation needed|date=May 2022}}

====Ornithology====
Because of its position, Scilly is the first landing for many migrant birds, including extreme rarities from North America and [[Siberia]]. Scilly is situated far into the Atlantic Ocean, so many American vagrant birds will make first European landfall in the archipelago.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Bowley |first=Rex Lyon |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1158345082 |title=The Scilly guidebook : Isles of Scilly standard guidebook |date=2006 |publisher=Bowley Publications |isbn=978-0-900184-44-4 |edition=56th |location=Isles of Scilly |pages=44–49 |language=en |oclc=1158345082}}</ref>

If an extremely rare bird turns up, the island will see a significant increase in numbers of birdwatchers. This type of birding, chasing after rare birds, is called "[[Birdwatching#Birding, birdwatching and twitching|twitching]]".{{citation needed|date=April 2022}}

The islands are home to [[ornithologist]] [[Will Wagstaff]].{{citation needed|date=January 2023}}

===Employment===
The predominance of tourism means that "tourism is by far the main sector throughout each of the individual islands, in terms of employment... [and] this is much greater than other remote and rural areas in the United Kingdom". Tourism accounts for approximately 63% of all employment.<ref name="partnership" />

Businesses dependent on tourism, with the exception of a few hotels, tend to be small enterprises typically employing fewer than four people; many of these are family run, suggesting an entrepreneurial culture among the local population.<ref name="partnership" /> However, much of the work generated by this, with the exception of management, is low skilled and thus poorly paid, especially for those involved in cleaning, catering and retail.<ref>J.Urry, ''The Tourist Gaze'' (2nd edition), London, 2002</ref>

Because of the seasonality of tourism, many jobs on the islands are seasonal and part-time, so work cannot be guaranteed throughout the year. Some islanders take up other temporary jobs 'out of season' to compensate for this. Due to a lack of local casual labour at peak holiday times, many of the larger employers accommodate guest workers.{{citation needed|date=January 2023}}

=== Taxation ===
The islands were not subject to [[Income Tax|income tax]] until 1954, and there was no motor [[vehicle excise duty]] levied until 1971.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/travel-living-in-a-world-of-their-own-on-the-shortest-day-of-the-year-simon-calder-took-the-high-road-to-shetland-and-frank-barrett-took-the-low-road-to-the-scillies-as-britains-extremities-made-ready-for-christmas-1469283.html |title=Travel: Living in a world of their own: On the shortest day of the year, Simon Calder took the high road to Shetland and Frank Barrett took the low road to the Scillies, as Britain's extremities made ready for Christmas |work=[[The Independent]] |location=London |date=24 December 1993}}</ref> The [[Council Tax]] is set by the Local Authority in order to meet their budget requirements. The [[Valuation Office Agency]] values properties for the purpose of [[Council Tax|council tax]].<ref name="scilly.gov.uk">{{Cite web |title=Council Tax {{!}} Council of the ISLES OF SCILLY |url=https://www.scilly.gov.uk/council-democracy/council-finances/council-tax |access-date=24 May 2022 |website=www.scilly.gov.uk}}</ref> The amount of council tax paid depends on the band of the property as shown below. The [[Valuation (finance)|valuation]] is based on what the [[property]] would have been worth in 1991.<ref name="scilly.gov.uk"/>
{| class="wikitable"
|+Isles of Scilly Valuation (01/04/1991)
!Band:
!Property Valuation:
!Average Tax:
|-
|A
|≤ £40,000
|£1,087
|-
|B
|£40,001 - £52,000
|£1,268
|-
|C
|£52,001 - £68,000
|£1,450
|-
|D
|£68,001 - £88,000
|£1,631
|-
|E
|£88,001 - £120,000
|£1,993
|-
|F
|£120,001 - £160,000
|£2,356
|-
|G
|£160,001 - £320,000
|£2,718
|-
|H
|> £320,000
|£3,262
|}
<u>Source 1: [https://www.scilly.gov.uk/council-democracy/council-finances/council-tax Council of the Isles of Scilly]</u>

<u>Source 2: [https://counciltaxrates.info/isles-of-scilly-council#.Yoz81mDMIWU Isles of Scilly Council Tax]</u>

=== Transport ===
[[File:Electric golf buggy on St Marys.jpg|thumb|An electric golf buggy on St Mary's; these are road licensed and available for hire, as are bicycles, for use on public roads on the island.]]
[[File:RMV Scillonian III docked at St Mary's harbour.jpg|thumb|''[[Scillonian III]]'' in St Mary's Harbour]]

St Mary's is the only island with a significant road network and the only island with classified roads - the A3110, A3111 and A3112. St Agnes and St Martin's also have public highways adopted by the local authority.<ref>{{Ordnance Survey|access-date=9 February 2022}}</ref> In 2005 there were 619 registered vehicles on the island. The island also has [[taxicab|taxis]] and a tour [[bus]]. Vehicles on the islands are exempt from annual [[MOT test]]s.<ref>Motor Vehicles (tests) Regulations 1981 (SI 1981/1694)</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.scilly.gov.uk/Council%20of%20the%20Isles%20of%20Scilly/Planning/IOS%20Sustainable%20Energy%20Strategy%20final.pdf |title=A Sustainable Energy Strategy for the Isles of Scilly |publisher=[[Council of the Isles of Scilly]] |date=November 2007 |access-date=21 August 2010 |pages=13, 21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120118162937/http://www.scilly.gov.uk/Council%20of%20the%20Isles%20of%20Scilly/Planning/IOS%20Sustainable%20Energy%20Strategy%20final.pdf |archive-date=18 January 2012}}</ref>

[[Fixed-wing aircraft]] services, operated by [[Isles of Scilly Skybus]], operate from [[Land's End Airport|Land's End]], [[Newquay Cornwall Airport|Newquay]] and [[Exeter International Airport|Exeter]] to St Mary's Airport.<ref name="iossb">{{cite web |url=http://www.islesofscilly-travel.co.uk/timetable_skybus.asp |title=Skybus Timetables |publisher=Skybus |access-date=8 September 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131116023855/http://www.islesofscilly-travel.co.uk/timetable_skybus.asp |archive-date=16 November 2013}}</ref> A scheduled [[helicopter]] service has operated from a new [[Penzance Heliport]] to both [[St Mary's Airport, Isles of Scilly|St Mary's Airport]] and [[Tresco Heliport]] since 2020. The helicopter is the only direct flight to the island of [[Tresco, Isles of Scilly|Tresco]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Home {{!}} Penzance Helicopters |url=https://penzancehelicopters.co.uk/ |access-date=26 January 2021 |website=penzancehelicopters.co.uk}}</ref>

By sea, the [[Isles of Scilly Steamship Company]] provides a passenger and cargo service from [[Penzance]] to St Mary's, which is currently operated by the ''[[Scillonian III]]'' passenger ferry, supported until summer 2017 by the ''[[Gry Maritha]]'' cargo vessel and now by the ''Mali Rose''. The other islands are linked to St. Mary's by a network of inter-island [[launch (boat)|launches]].<ref name=ioss>{{cite web |url=http://www.islesofscilly-travel.co.uk/sea.htm |title=Isles of Scilly Travel&nbsp;– Travel by sea |publisher=Isles of Scilly Travel |access-date=17 January 2007}}</ref> [[St Mary's Harbour]] is the principal harbour of the Isles of Scilly, and is located in Hugh Town.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Mumford |first=Clive |title=Portrait of the Isles of Scilly |publisher=Robert Hale |year=1980 |isbn=0-7091-1718-3 |edition=3rd |pages=138 |language=en}}</ref>

=== Tenure ===
A majority of the [[freehold (law)|freehold land]] of the islands is the property of the [[Duchy of Cornwall]], with a few exceptions, including much of [[Hugh Town]] on St Mary's, which was sold to the inhabitants in 1949. The duchy also holds {{convert|3921|acre|ha|0|abbr=off}} as duchy property, part of the duchy's landholding.<ref name="landholding">{{cite web |url=http://www7.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0605/feature3/index.html |title=Prince Charles not your typical radical |author=Sandy Mitchell |work=[[National Geographic (magazine)|National Geographic]] |publisher=[[National Geographic Society]] |date=May 2006 |pages=96–115; map ref 104 |access-date=26 September 2010 |archive-date=6 August 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070806015630/http://www7.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0605/feature3/index.html |url-status=dead}}</ref> All the uninhabited islands, islets and rocks and much of the untenanted land on the inhabited islands is managed by the [[Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust]], which leases these lands from the Duchy for the rent of one daffodil per year.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://duchyofcornwall.org/newton-park-estate.html |title=Isles of Scilly |publisher=Duchy of Cornwall |access-date=8 June 2017|quote=In particular, The Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust, which manages around 60 per cent of the area of the Isles, including the uninhabited islands, plays an important role in protecting wildlife and their habitats. The Trust pays a rent to the Duchy of one daffodil per year!}}</ref>

Limited housing availability is a contentious yet critical issue for the Isles of Scilly, especially as it affects the feasibility of residency on the islands. Few properties are privately owned, with many units being let by the Duchy of Cornwall, the council and a few by [[housing association]]s. The management of these subsequently affects the possibility of residency on the islands.<ref name="martin">Martin D, 'Heaven and Hell', in ''Inside Housing'', 31 October 2004</ref>

Housing demand outstrips supply, a problem compounded by restrictions on further development designed to protect the islands' unique environment and prevent the infrastructural carrying capacity from being exceeded. This has pushed up the prices of the few private properties that become available and, significantly for the majority of the islands' populations, it has also affected the rental sector where rates have likewise drastically increased.<ref name="SWHB">''Sub Regional Housing Markets in the South West'', South West Housing Board, 2004</ref><ref name="fleming">S. Fleming et al., ''"In from the cold" A report on Cornwall’s Affordable Housing Crisis'', Liberal Democrats, Penzance, 2003</ref>

High housing costs pose significant problems for the local population, especially as local incomes (in Cornwall) are only 70% of the national average, whilst house prices are almost £5,000 higher than the national average. This in turn affects the retention of 'key workers' and the younger generation, which consequently affects the viability of schools and other essential community services.<ref name="council" /><ref name="fleming" />

The limited access to housing provokes strong local politics. It is often assumed that tourism is to blame for this, attracting newcomers to the area who can afford to outbid locals for available housing. Many buildings are used for tourist accommodation which reduces the number available for local residents. Second homes are also thought to account for a significant proportion of the housing stock, leaving many buildings empty for much of the year.<ref name="The Cornishman">''The Cornishman'', "Islanders in dispute with Duchy over housing policy", 19 August 2004</ref>

In December 2021, the Council bought a property to ease the housing crisis, which would be converted into 3 affordable homes.<ref>{{Cite news|date=4 December 2021|title=Scilly Isles council buys house to tackle housing crisis|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-cornwall-59532005|access-date=20 January 2022}}</ref> The council also, in January 2022, declared a housing crisis, due to the housing crisis placing the islands in "real danger of putting essential services at risk, such as the hospital and school". The council also highlighted that 15 households would be homeless by March and would face having to move from the Islands.<ref>{{Cite news |date=20 January 2022 |title=The Council of the Isles of Scilly declares housing crisis |language=en-GB |work=[[BBC News]] |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-cornwall-60069854 |access-date=20 January 2022}}</ref>

== Notable people ==
* [[John Godolphin]] (1617–1678), an English jurist and writer, and [[Judge of the High Court of Admiralty]].<ref>{{cite DNB |wstitle= Godolphin, John |volume= 22 |last= |first= |author-link= |page= 41 |short= 1}}</ref>
* [[Sam Llewellyn]] (born 1948 in Tresco), a British author of literature for children and adults.

== Culture ==

=== People ===
{{Main article|Cornish people|English people}}

According to the 2001 UK census, 97% of the population of the islands are [[white British]],<ref name=ONS1 /> with nearly 93% of the inhabitants born in the islands, in mainland Cornwall or elsewhere in England.<ref name=ONS2>{{cite web |title=Isles of Scilly – Country of Birth |url=http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=7&b=276909&c=TR21+0LW&d=13&e=13&g=431427&i=1x1003x1004&m=0&r=0&s=1354783435942&enc=1&dsFamilyId=11 |publisher=Office for National Statistics |access-date=6 December 2012 |archive-date=19 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151119173711/http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=7&b=276909&c=TR21+0LW&d=13&e=13&g=431427&i=1x1003x1004&m=0&r=0&s=1354783435942&enc=1&dsFamilyId=11 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Following [[2004 enlargement of the European Union|EU enlargement in 2004]], a number of [[A8 countries|central Europeans]] moved to the island, joining the [[Australia]]ns, [[New Zealand]]ers and [[South Africa]]ns who traditionally made up most of the islands' overseas workers. In 2005, their numbers were estimated at nearly 100 out of a total population of just over 2,000.<ref name=Guard>{{cite news |title=East Europeans in the Isles of Scilly |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2006/jan/23/britishidentity.features111 |access-date=6 December 2012 |newspaper=The Guardian |date=23 January 2006}}</ref> The Isles have also been referred to as "the land that crime forgot", reflecting lower crime levels than national averages.<ref name="Mawby 2002">{{cite journal |last1=Mawby |first1=R.I. |title=The Land that Crime Forgot? Auditing the Isles of Scilly |journal=Crime Prevention and Community Safety |year=2002|volume=4 |issue=2 |pages=39–53 |url=http://www.palgrave-journals.com/cpcs/journal/v4/n2/abs/8140122a.html |access-date=29 March 2015 |doi=10.1057/palgrave.cpcs.8140122|s2cid=159581320}}</ref>

=== Sport ===
One continuing legacy of the isles' past is [[Cornish pilot gig|gig racing]], wherein fast rowing boats ("gigs") with crews of six (or in one case, seven) race between the main islands. Gig racing has been said to derive from the race to collect [[marine salvage|salvage]] from shipwrecks on the rocks around Scilly, but the race was actually to deliver a [[harbour pilot|pilot]] onto incoming vessels, to guide them through the hazardous reefs and shallows. (The boats are correctly termed "pilot gigs"). The [[World Pilot Gig Championships]] are held annually over the May Day bank holiday weekend. The event originally involved crews from the Islands and a few crews from mainland Cornwall, but in the intervening years the number of gigs attending has increased, with crews coming from all over the South-West and further afield.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.worldgigs.co.uk/ |title=World Pilot Gig Championships&nbsp;– Isles of Scilly |author1=Rick Persich |author2=Chairman World Pilot Gigs Championships Committee |access-date=26 September 2010 |archive-date=23 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100423112035/http://www.worldgigs.co.uk/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The Isles of Scilly is home to what is reportedly the smallest [[association football|football]] league in the world, the [[Isles of Scilly Football League]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Smith |first=Rory |date=22 December 2016 |title=Welcome to the World's Smallest Soccer League. Both Teams Are Here. |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/21/sports/soccer/smallest-soccer-league-scilly.html?_r=0}}</ref>

In December 2006, [[Sport England]] published a survey which revealed that residents of the Isles of Scilly were the most active in England in sports and other fitness activities. 32% of the population participate at least three times a week for 30 minutes or more.<ref name=mostact>{{cite web |url=http://www.sportengland.org/national_factsheet_appendix_(all_las_ranked)_v2.xls |title=Active People Survey&nbsp;– national factsheet appendix |format=Microsoft Excel |publisher=[[Sport England]] |access-date=16 January 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070315220153/http://www.sportengland.org/national_factsheet_appendix_(all_las_ranked)_v2.xls |archive-date=15 March 2007}}</ref>

There is a [[golf]] club with a nine-hole course (each with two tees) situated on the island of St Mary's, near [[Porthloo]] and [[Telegraph, Isles of Scilly|Telegraph]], which was founded in 1904.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.islesofscillygolfclub.co.uk |title=Isles of Scilly Golf Club |access-date=9 June 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150531014903/http://www.islesofscillygolfclub.co.uk/ |archive-date=31 May 2015}}</ref>

=== Media ===
The islands are served by the Halangy Down radio and television transmitter on St Mary's north of Telegraph at {{Coord|49.932505|-6.305358}}. It is a relay of the main transmitter at [[Redruth transmitting station|Redruth]] (Cornwall) that broadcasts [[BBC South West]], [[ITV West Country]], [[BBC Radio]] [[BBC Radio 1|1]], [[BBC Radio 2|2]], [[BBC Radio 3|3]], [[BBC Radio 4|4]] and [[BBC Radio Cornwall]] and the range of [[Freeview (UK)|Freeview]] television and BBC radio channels known as 'Freeview Light'.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ukfree.tv/transmitters/tv/Isles_of_Scilly |title= Freeview Light on the Isles of Scilly (Isles Of Scilly, England) transmitter|date=1 May 2004|website=UK Free TV|accessdate=25 November 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ukfree.tv/maps.php?of=freeviewlight |title=ukfreetv-Full-Freeview vs Freeview Light: map |access-date=8 September 2014 |archive-date=8 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140908180555/http://www.ukfree.tv/maps.php?of=freeviewlight |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Radio Scilly]], a community radio station, was launched in September 2007. In January 2020, Radio Scilly was rebranded as [[Islands FM]].<ref>{{Cite news|title=Community station Radio Scilly rebrands to Islands FM |date=25 June 2020 |publisher=Community Ragio Today |url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2020/06/community-station-radio-scilly-rebrands-to-islands-fm/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210403104554/https://radiotoday.co.uk/2020/06/community-station-radio-scilly-rebrands-to-islands-fm/ |archive-date=3 April 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=About Islands FM |publisher=Islands FM 107.9 |url=https://www.islandsfm.org/about |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810094534/https://www.islandsfm.org/about |archive-date=10 August 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref>

The Isles of Scilly were featured on the TV programme ''[[Seven Natural Wonders]]'' as one of the wonders of South West England. Since 2007 the islands have featured in the [[BBC]] series ''[[An Island Parish]]'', following various real-life stories and featuring in particular the newly appointed ''Chaplain to the Isles of Scilly''. A 12-part series was filmed in 2007 and first broadcast on [[BBC2]] in January 2008.<ref name=iparish>{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbctwo/listings/programmes.shtml?day=yesterday&service_id=4224&filename=20070115/20070115_2030_4224_16817_30 |title=An Island Parish |publisher=BBC |access-date=16 January 2007}}</ref> After Reverend David Easton left the islands in 2009, the series continued under the same name but focused elsewhere.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.scillytoday.com/2015/07/08/former-methodist-minister-returns-for-visit/ |title=Former Methodist Minister Returns For Visit |website=The Scillonian |date=8 July 2015 |access-date=11 August 2016}}</ref>

== See also ==
{{Portal|Cornwall}}
* [[List of shipwrecks of the Isles of Scilly]]
* [[List of extreme points of the United Kingdom]]
* [[Three Hundred and Thirty Five Years' War]]

== References ==
{{reflist|30em}}

== Further reading ==
* {{cite book |last=Woodley |first=George |date=1822 |title=A View of the Present State of the Scilly Islands: exhibiting their vast importance to the British empire, the improvements of which they are susceptible, and a particular account of the means lately adopted for the amelioration of the condition of the inhabitants, by the establishment and extension of their fisheries |location=London |publisher=Rivington}}
* {{cite book |last=O'Neil |first=B. H. St. J. |title=Ancient Monuments of the Isles of Scilly. Ministry of Works Official Guide-book |year=1949  |pages= |publisher=His Majesty's Stationery Office (HMSO) |oclc=561729732 |url=https://archive.org/details/isles-of-scilly}}
* ''Isles of Scilly Guidebook'' by Friendly Guides (2021) {{ISBN|978-1-904645-34-4}}
*''A Study of the Historic Coastal and Marine Environment of the Isles of Scilly''. Cornwall Archaeological Unit, Cornwall Council, ed. by D. Charman et al. (Truro: Cornwall Archaeological Unit, Cornwall Council, 2015)

== External links ==
{{Sister project links|voy= Isles of Scilly | Isles of Scilly}}
* [http://www.scilly.gov.uk/ Council of the Isles of Scilly]
* {{oscoor gbx|SV898130}}

{{Isles of Scilly}}
{{Cornwall}}
{{AONBs in England}}
{{SW England}}
{{British Isles}}
{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Scilly, Isles of}}
[[Category:Isles of Scilly| ]]
[[Category:Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty in England]]
[[Category:Birdwatching sites in England]]
[[Category:Important Bird Areas of England]]
[[Category:Important Bird Areas of Atlantic islands]]
[[Category:Celtic Sea]]
[[Category:Dark-sky preserves in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Duchy of Cornwall]]
[[Category:Hundreds of Cornwall|Isles of Scilly]]
[[Category:Local government districts in Cornwall|Isles of Scilly]]
[[Category:Natural regions of England]]
[[Category:Nature Conservation Review sites]]
[[Category:NUTS 2 statistical regions of the European Union|Isles of Scilly]]
[[Category:Ramsar sites in England]]
[[Category:Special Protection Areas in England]]
[[Category:Former civil parishes in Cornwall|Isles of Scilly]]