Illiswilgig

Illiswilgig is one of the Norrard Rocks west of Bryher in the Isles of Scilly, a small granite islet of about two acres between Castle Bryher and Mincarlo.

Landscape

The islet is a rounded hump of granite with a little turf on top, ringed by ledges and surge gullies. The Norrard, or Northern, Rocks are a group of seven small islands west of Bryher and Samson: Gweal, Mincarlo, Scilly Rock, Maiden Bower, Castle Bryher, Illiswilgig and Seal Rock. Exposed to every westerly gale, they are mostly bare granite with a little salt-burnt turf.

Wildlife

With Castle Bryher, Scilly Rock and Mincarlo, Illiswilgig holds a small breeding colony of storm petrels, which come ashore to their nest crevices only at night. The Norrard Rocks have been a Site of Special Scientific Interest since 1971 for their seabird colonies and are managed by the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust. They are closed to landing to protect the nesting birds.

Visiting

There is no landing on the Norrard Rocks, but they are well seen from Bryher’s west coast around Hell Bay, and seabird trips from St Mary’s and Bryher circle them in summer. You can collect Illiswilgig as a sighting in your Island Passport.

Wildlife and area

The rocks hold puffins, razorbills, shags, cormorants and storm petrels, and grey seals haul out on the ledges. Nearby islands include Scilly Rock, Maiden Bower and Castle Bryher.