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www.noble-caledonia.co.uk An Introduction by Andrew Cochrane, Noble Caledonia Founder & Director When I first visited the Isles of Scilly some 40 years ago, I thought the archipelago the most bewitching of places in the UK. It may be only 30 miles off the Cornish coast, but suddenly you arrive at a timeless maritime oasis where the grey Atlantic dissolves miraculously into turquoise, and white sandy beaches give way to verdant islands and palm trees. The nurturing warm waters of the Gulf Stream have helped to create a microclimate endowing the islands with great botanical and ornithological diversity. Most of the year is warm enough to support plant growth for flora normally native to a Mediterranean or sub-tropical climate. The Abbey Gardens on the island of Tresco offer an explosion of sub-tropical colour at the eastern end of the island, whilst to the north and west, a thirty-minute walk away is another world. Here, the coast is rugged and wild with wind-shaped heathers and rugged coastal vegetation. My first visit all those years ago led me in part to begin a series of UK and Ireland coastal cruises which concentrated on our islands%u2019 natural world. Noble Caledonia was the first company to offer such trips aboard small ships and any itinerary beginning in England always included a day in the Isles of Scilly. But, for me and many, a day is not sufficient. There is so much to see on the islands of St Mary%u2019s, Bryher, St Agnes and St Martin%u2019s whether your interest lies in botany, ornithology, horticulture, maritime history or archaeology and our six-day visit will cover all aspects. The joy of these islands are the gentle walks along car-free lanes and paths, absorbing the flora and birdsong without the background hum of traffic and modern-day life. The islands are small, the walks undemanding and, instead of hopping on and off coaches, our transport will be provided by private boats. If you have travelled with us on one our ships to the Isles of Scilly, I hope you will consider returning for a longer stay. If these treasure islands have eluded you up until now I can only recommend you correct this omission and join us for what promises to be an endlessly fascinating experience.%u201c%u201dSt Mary%u2019s