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There are over one hundred islands and islets in all, but only five of them are inhabited by a population of only 2000 people, and 90% of them live on the main island of St Mary's. The name comes from the word Sulli which means sun isles and the people who live there are known as Scillonians.
The islands were first settled in 2000 BC by voyagers from the Mediterranean; since then the Romans have lived there, the Dutch have declared war on the islands, Charles II, then the Prince of Wales, took shelter there during the English Civil War, and they have the greatest concentration of Cornwall's prehistoric remains.
Today the islands which are 28 miles from Lands End are famed for their flowers, their beaches and their Gig racing, for having the holiday home of a former Prime Minister, Palm trees, Puffins and Seals. The whole lot is owned by Prince Charles.
St Mary's. The largest of the islands but still only three miles across at it's widest point. For the best views of the harbour and Hugh Town start off at the Star Castle which is within the Garrison. Hugh (according to one local expert) comes from a 'Hue and Cry' which he says was the shout made by a lad when he spotted a shoal of fish from a lookout tower. I thought a hue and cry was a big investigation or search for criminals, but who am I to argue? Anyway there are two Hugh Towns on the island, one 'New' and the other 'Old'. The same is also true on Tresco island which has Old Grimsby and New.
The Star Castle, which takes it's name from it's shape, was developed by Queen Elizabeth I in 1593 in preparation for the third Armada which actually never came. She ordered the islands governor Francis Godolphin to employ a Lieutenant, three gunners and 26 soldiers at a total cost of £1.1.6d per day! The castle is surrounded by a very large garrison which came some time later in the mid 1700's and near to the entrance is a fine Gunpowder Magazine from that period. The Castle is now a fine Hotel which makes much of the fact both Charles I and Charles II stayed there.
Harold Wilson loved the islands and his family still has a home in the 'New' town. A small grey bungalow on the left as you climb up out of the town heading towards the airport. There is usually a vintage Riley car parked opposite. Harold is buried in the Old Church in the 'Old' town. This fine old church is worth a visit, not just to pay your respect to Lord Wilson but also the number of foreign names that appear on the gravestones. This is of course due to the large number of ship wrecks around the coast.
North West of the island near to the Telegraph Tower (a radio station) is the Ancient village of Bants Carn. Some people call this Halangy Down but they are wrong. It dates back to 2000 BC and has a fine selection of round stone houses, including some courtyard houses from a later date which stand at the highest part of the village. It was probably used for over 500 years and it is very likely that the Romans moved in later. High above the village is a burial chamber which is the most impressive of all the Scillonian chamber tombs. Like the village it dates from around 2000BC.
Around Peninnis Headland, just by the lighthouse, are some of the finest examples of vertical granite decomposition in the world, or in other words a lump of rocks that have some really strange shapes. A few of the rocks have been given names by the locals like the Kettle and Pan, the Tooth, the Laughing Man, the Old Witch and so on.
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