Scilly Isles - the guidebook, history, and Scilly at War

The Scilly Guidebook The Fortunate Islands Scilly at War Order books

The Isles of Scilly - the Fortunate Islands - are a cluster of 56 small islands (and many more rocks) in an area of the Atlantic Ocean about 7 miles by 5, and situated about 25 miles WSW of Land's End. Only five islands (St.Mary's, Tresco, St.Martin's, St.Agnes and Bryher) are currently inhabited, by a population of around 2000. The islands represent today a pleasant and different UK holiday location for visitors seeking to get away from crowds, crime, cars (including their own) and mainland concerns. In Scilly, life seems a little closer to nature, but without sacrifice on the inhabited islands of the comforts of good hotels, pubs, guest houses, cafes and restaurants.

Rich in archaeological remains and once notorious as a graveyard for shipping, Scilly now has a softer reputation with its favoured climate, winter flower industry, the famous Tresco Abbey Gardens and its popularity as a holiday destination for discriminating tourists.

The Scilly Guidebook and books on the history of the islands (The Fortunate Islands and Scilly at war) are published by Bowley Publications Ltd. The author, Rex Bowley, has had a lifelong connection to the Scillies.

THE SCILLY GUIDEBOOK

In the revised and much enlarged 2008/9 A5-size edition of the Isles of Scillies Standard Guidebook of 88 pages there are many new sections, plus a new large-scale folding map of all the islands in the rear of the book. It is illustrated with photographs and with delightful water-colour sketches of Scilly birds, butterflies and shells. The aim has been to set a new high standard in the production of the guidebook to mark and celebrate the sale of over a quarter of a million copies prior to this 57th edition.

£4.50, ISBN:978-0900184-49-9.

THE FORTUNATE ISLANDS: the story of the Isles of Scilly

This is the standard book on the Isles of Scilly. It contains chapters covering the lost land of Lyonesse, Bronze Age habitation, the Vikings in Scilly, the Middle Ages. the foundations of the present relative propserity in the 19th Century, wrecks and lighthouses, the flower industry, legends, folklore and customs. There are many photographs, an appendix, an index and a detailed bibliography of the older books on Scilly. It is now in its 9th revised edition of 232 pages.

£7.50, ISBN:900184-40-X.

SCILLY AT WAR

Scilly has not always been the peaceful idyll the tourist sees today. The middle of the 17th century saw the English Civil Wars, and the first part of the book tells the story of Robert Blake and his conquest of Scilly in 1651, which released the islanders from their hard conditions under military occupation by Royalist rebels and their mainly Irish so;diers. The story is illustrated by contemporary letters and first-hand accounts.

The second part of the book is concerned with the First World War, and includes the part played by seaplanes at their base on Tresco in helping to counter the U-boat menace. Developments in air travel between the wars concludes the second part.

The third part is concerned with the Second World War and how it affected Scilly, and with the post-war travel developments to Scilly by sea and air. The book has 346 pages, with many illustrations, an appendix and an index.

£9.60, ISBN:0-900184-34-5.

TO ORDER

All can be ordered through booksellers, or by post direct from the publishers:
BOWLEY PUBLICATIONS LTD
P.O.BOX 1, ST. MARY'S
ISLES OF SCILLY
TR21 0PR

For UK orders direct from the publishers of single copies of the above items at the above prices there is no postage charge.

Please allow at least a week for delivery.

For your convenience if ordering by post an optional printable UK order form is provided.

For overseas addresses, please write with your requirements.