Fieldtrip to the Scilly Isles led by Professor James Scourse with the Quaternary Research Association, 7-10 September 2026

It is 20 years since the QRA last visited the Isles of Scilly in 2006. Since then, two major projects have been completed that have significantly refined our understanding of Holocene palaeoenvironmental change. This excursion will examine new sites significant to both these projects and revisit some classic sites. The first day will examine Pleistocene extra-glacial, Holocene palaeoenvironmental and archaeological  sites on St Marys. The second day will focus on the evidence for the LGM ice limit on St Martin's, including the stratotype of the Scilly Till and associated morainic and tor landforms, followed by supper at the Seven Stones Inn. The final day will visit sites on Tresco, including the Battery section that has been critical in refining the LGM glacial chronology followed by a boat excursion around some of the northern islands, including St Helen’s and remote Scilly Rock, to review geological and geomorphological evidence for glaciation from the sea. Please note that, apart from boat travel to the off-islands, all travel will be on foot over sometimes uneven and slippery inter-tidal terrain. Delegates will be required to organise their own dinners and (packed) lunches on all days except dinner on the evening of Wednesday 9th and lunch on Thursday 10th. NB: delegates to organise their own travel travel to and from Scilly, and accommodation. The registration cost for the excursion will be  £120-£150 to cover boat travel, supper at the Seven Stones and lunch at the New Inn, and field materials.

  Please contact James Scourse direct as soon as you can, J.Scourse@exeter.ac.uk  if you are interested to attend this fieldtrip.