Walk Scilly Long Weekend tickets on sale
Tickets for next month's Walk Scilly Long Weekend are now on sale.
The fifth annual event, which runs from October 11th - 15th, features 24 guided walks across all five inhabited islands and three uninhabited islands, kicked off by a gentle welcome walk with resident ornithologist and naturalist Will Wagstaff and a welcome party on St Mary’s.
The Islands' Partnership said: "Autumn is a magical time to escape to and explore the Isles of Scilly. Swathes of empty spaces and stunning coastlines and landscapes to experience; lingering late sunshine with the odd storm and wild seas. With the shorter days come fields of budding scented narcissi, stunning sunsets and a dazzling array of birds and wildlife. So what better way of enjoying the unique essence of the archipelago, 28 miles off the tip of Cornwall, than a long weekend of walking the islands with expert guides showing the way?
"There’ll be shoreline forage and a hedgerow harvest walks, both offering tastings of your rich pickings, and a chance to turn bat detective on an evening walk using your very own bat detector kit. Elsewhere, enjoy walks with islanders keen to share their life’s experiences of living on a remote archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean, explore St Agnes Top to Toe, gaze up for a dark skies walk on St Martin’s and a military history walk around the Garrison on St Mary’s."
There will also be a rare opportunity to explore the uninhabited islands of Teän and Nornour with archaeologist Dr Katharine Sawyer, taking in sites from Bronze Age burial chambers and an early medieval chapel and cemetery to houses from the 17th and 18th centuries on Teän, and a pre-historic settlement and Romano-British shrine on Nornour.
New for this year are some sensory and creative walks in collaboration with the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust - including sound walks with sound artist Laura Denning, immersive flower walks with leading botanical artist Bee Watson and an "extraordinary" coastal walk with sand artist, Tony Plant.
The weekend also features a "marine meander around the archipelago" on MV Sapphire with skipper and wildlife photographer Joe Pender and birder and environment academic Dr Rob Lambert (plus Bella the boat dog) in search of seabirds, wading birds, sea ducks, divers, grey seals and dolphins.
David Jackson, Executive Director of the Islands' Partnership (Visit Isles of Scilly), said: “Autumn is a glorious time of year to visit Scilly. The wildlife is spectacular, with resident and migrating birds to spot, seal pups to catch sight of, and Scilly bees and bats to seek out. The hedgerows and shorelines are fantastic for foraging, too. We’re also delighted to add a creative element to this year’s programme, designed to enhance how walkers appreciate Scilly’s stunning natural environment.
"All in all, our Walk Scilly Long Weekend is a fantastic opportunity for visitors to truly explore this special season on Scilly.”
For a 10% discount on travel to the islands for Walk Scilly Weekend, quote WLK18 when booking with Isles of Scilly Travel - www.islesofscilly-travel.co.uk. Look online at visitislesofscilly.com/special-offers for accommodation and other special offers over the weekend.
For more information about the walks and how to book, go to www.visitislesofscilly.com/walkscilly.