position produces a place of great contrast - the ameliorating
effect of the sea means we rarely have frost or snow, which
allows local farmers to grow flowers well ahead of those on
mainland Britain while the exposure to the Atlantic winds
means spectacular winter gales lash the islands from time
is reflected in the landscape, for example on Tresco where
the lush Sub-Tropical Abbey Gardens on the sheltered Southern
end of the island contrast with the low heather and bare rock
sculpted by the wind on the exposed Northern end.
Scilly has been
inhabited since stone-age times and its history has been one of
subsistence living until this century with people living from the
land and the sea. Farming and fishing continues today, but the main
industry now is tourism.
sea has always played a huge part in Scillonian history but it was
in the nineteenth century that Scilly had its maritime heyday. Beaches
which are now enjoyed by sunbathers were then factories for shipbuilding,
the harbours now full of pleasure boats were once packed with local
and visiting fishing and trading boats.