A photo depicting a Scillonian farmer heading off to tend his fields in his vintage tractor on the island of St. Martin’s has scooped this year’s top prize in the annual Isles of Scilly Photography Competition, organised by the Islands’ Partnership.

Mark Smith, an IT Manager for IBM who lives in Leicestershire, took the photo entitled “The Daily Commute” on his family holiday to the islands this summer. His photo was selected as the outright winner from 40 shortlisted photos from across eight categories after he polled 1,280 votes following a public vote online on www.visitislesofscilly.com. Mark wins a three-night break for two at St. Mary’s Hall Hotel and return travel on the Scillonian III, courtesy of Isles of Scilly Travel.

Mark, who has visited Scilly many times over the years, is a keen amateur photographer. “My mum first came to Scilly before she was married and I’ve been visiting the islands ever since I was a child. Now I bring my own children every two or three years for a family holiday, and despite being teenagers they still love Scilly and insist on coming with us,” says Mark.  

“We were visiting St. Martin’s this year, when this farmer came past on his old tractor. Back home, I have a friend who had just bought a vintage tractor, so really, I took some photos for him!  Anyway, we got talking, as you always do with locals on Scilly and then, as he drove off, I noticed the beautiful backdrop and couldn’t resist one final photo. I had to be persuaded to enter the photo competition and obviously, I am very glad I did.  My children will be envious of me and my wife sneaking a weekend away on Scilly without them!”

This year’s photography competition saw an unprecedented 1,350 entries, a record since the competition started back in 2014. “We’re always delighted that this annual competition creates a lot of excitement and enthusiasm from our visitors,” says David Jackson, Executive Director, Islands’ Partnership. “Importantly, from the IP’s perspective, this competition really helps to augment Visit Isles of Scilly’s existing photographic library, with many featuring in our marketing materials. Mark’s photo, alongside a number of this year’s finalists will also feature in the forthcoming 2018 Isles of Scilly Guide.”

The Islands’ Partnership would like to thank Isles of Scilly Travel and St Mary’s Hall Hotel for their support with the competition.

The Isles of Scilly scooped five gongs at last night’s dazzling Cornwall Tourism Awards which once again took place at the Headland Hotel, Newquay.

Impressively, Hell Bay Hotel took Gold, for the fifth successive year, in the Small / Boutique Hotel of the Year category. The Islands’ Partnership (Visit Isles of Scilly) won Silver for the Islands’ Regatta in the Tourism/Festival of the Year category; there were a further two Silvers for Star Castle in the Restaurant Category and for Scilly Seal Snorkelling in the Active & Sporting Experience of the Year category; whilst Karma St. Martin’s took a Bronze Award in the Dog Friendly Business of the Year category.

Additionally for Scilly, although not represented on the night, Tregarthen’s Cottages, The Wheelhouse and Karma St. Martin’s were all Highly Commended in their respective categories: Self Catering Holiday Provider of the Year, Bed & Breakfast of the Year and Small / Boutique Hotel of the Year.

This year, there were 180 entries entering 26 different categories (including a new one for Guided Tours) – with standards once again taking a step up. The awards celebration was enhanced by a lovely presentation from Gold medal rowing winner and record holder Helen Glover, who ran, swam, and played tennis and hockey for Cornwall before becoming two-time Olympic champion.

“Scilly has once again enjoyed significant success at the Cornwall Tourism Awards as leading businesses across the islands continue to drive forward with a fantastic tourist offering,” says David Jackson, Executive Director, Islands’ Partnership (the Destination Management Organisation for the Isles of Scilly). “Hell Bay, in particular, should be congratulated on their fifth successive Gold, a truly impressive achievement in an ever more competitive category. Our continued success at these Awards should encourage more accommodation providers, attractions and experiences to enter next year and beyond. It was a great night for the islands and a superb way to wrap up another great season.”

Awards organiser Robin Barker added: “These awards are not about being good. They are about excellence in what is one of the world’s largest, fastest growing and most innovative industries. To be a winner, in a destination with the standing of Cornwall, is something winners should take great pride in.”

The successful finalists from Cornwall & the Isles of Scilly will be fast tracked into matching categories in the South West Tourism Excellence Awards in February 2018 and possibly invited to represent Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly in the 2018 National VisitEngland Awards in April.

The full list of finalists can be found on the Cornwall Tourism Awards website.