Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
Location | Cornwall |
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Grid reference | SV947145 |
Coordinates | 49°57′06″N 6°15′24″W / 49.9517°N 6.2567°W |
Interest | Biological |
Area | 83.8 hectares (0.838 km2; 0.324 sq mi) |
Notification | 1971 |
Natural England website |
The Eastern Isles (Cornish: Enesow Goonhyli, islands of the salt water downs) are a group of twelve small uninhabited islands within the Isles of Scilly Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, part of the Scilly Heritage Coast and a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) first designated in 1971 for its flora and fauna. They have a long period of occupation from the Bronze Age with cairns and entrance graves through to Iron Age field systems and a Roman shrine on Nornour.[1] Before the 19th century, the islands were known by their Cornish name, which had also become the name of the largest island in the group after the submergence of the connecting lands.[2]
All of the land designated as Eastern Isles Site of Special Scientific Interest is owned by the Duchy of Cornwall.[3]